Tamil Nadu Governor Withdraws Notification On Vice-Chancellor Appointments

This development comes at a time when the Supreme Court is hearing on the matter.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Wednesday withdrew the notifications issued by the Chancellor constituting search panels for recommending panels of three persons to the Chancellor for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors of three universities. In accordance with the court judgment, the Governor reportedly expressed optimism that the state would establish search committees incorporating a nominee of the UGC Chairman in line with the decisions of Constitutional Courts.

Taking To X, Raj Bhavan said, “The Hon'ble Governor of Tamil Nadu is hopeful that the Government of Tamil Nadu will do the needful as indicated above, is withdrawing the Notification No.01, dated 06.09.2023, Notification No.02, dated 06.09.2023 and Notification No.03, dated 06.09.2023 and awaits appropriate action from the Government of Tamil Nadu at the earliest in this regard to ensure that the cause of higher education and future of several hundred thousand students in the State are not adversely affected.”

This development comes at a time when the Supreme Court is hearing on the matter. Additionally, the state government is requesting a specific timeframe for Governors to address bills passed by the state assembly, approve appointments to crucial bodies such as the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, and investigate corruption allegations against former Ministers from the AIADMK.

Opposition-led states, including Kerala and Punjab, have approached the Supreme Court, alleging that Governors appointed by the BJP-led union government are causing delays and undermining duly elected governments, thereby hindering the developmental progress of the states.