In Bihar, the tussle between the Education Department and the Raj Bhavan is increasing. The Education Department has sought applications for appointment to the post of Vice Chancellor of seven universities of the state. The great thing is that the Raj Bhavan has already issued an application for this. This is probably the first time in the history of the state’s universities, that apart from the Raj Bhavan, only the education department itself has sought applications regarding the appointment of vice-chancellors.
For the first time in the history of state universities..
Applications have been invited by the Education Department for appointment to the post of Vice Chancellor of KSD Sanskriti University Darbhanga, Jaiprakash University Chhapra, Patna University, BRA Bihar University Muzaffarpur, LN Mithila University Darbhanga, BN Mandal University Madhepura and Aryabhatta University Patna. The last date of application is 13 September. Applications are invited both off and online. This is probably the first time in the history of state universities, when apart from Raj Bhavan, only the education department itself has sought applications regarding the appointment of vice-chancellors. The special thing is that the Raj Bhavan has already issued an advertisement for the appointment of Vice Chancellors. Now the education department has also released the advertisement.
Know link and eligibility
Applicant can apply online and can apply offline at the Secretariat of Education Secretary, Vikas Bhawan. The appointment of Vice-Chancellors will be done through the Search Committee. The appointment will be for three years. The applicant should not be more than 67 years and must have at least ten years of teaching experience on the post of Professor. Contribution in the field of research and other qualifications have also been sought.
Raj Bhavan also took out the appointment
Earlier, applications have been invited by the Raj Bhavan for the post of Vice Chancellor in these universities. An advertisement for this was issued in the newspapers from August 2 to 4. The last date to fill these posts is fixed from 24 to 27 August. According to the experts related to higher education, Raj Bhavan and Education Department will be face to face in the matter of appointment to the post of Vice-Chancellor. Presently, apart from the Search Committee, appointments to the post of Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor have been made only after consultation with the Government.
What happened in 2010?
It is worth mentioning that earlier in the year 2010, during the tenure of the then Governor Devanand Kunwar, the state government and the Raj Bhavan had come face to face regarding the appointment of Vice-Chancellors. After the intervention of the Supreme Court, the Vice-Chancellor appointed by the then Governor was removed. In fact, after the removal of Devanand Kunwar, the tradition of appointment to the post of Vice-Chancellor had started according to the Act with the understanding of the officers of the Raj Bhavan and the Education Department.
Salary and bill of VC of BRA Bihar University stopped by treasury
Following the orders of the Education Department, the Muzaffarpur treasury has prohibited the passing of all the bills of BRA Bihar University. Banks will not be able to pay any bill of the University due to the ban of the Treasury. Here, Education Department Secretary Vaidyanath Yadav wrote a letter to Governor’s Secretary RL N Chongthu saying that the government has the right to audit the department. The Education Department has said that the state government provides financial assistance of Rs 4,000 crore annually to the universities. In such a situation, anarchy cannot be allowed in universities under the guise of so-called autonomy. That’s why the education department will not withdraw its order on 17th August.
Obligation to enforce prior provisions
It is the responsibility of the department to implement the earlier provisions of the Bihar University Act on the concerned university. Earlier, Robert L. Chongthu, Principal Secretary, Raj Bhavan had written a letter calling the action taken by the education department in relation to the university as an attack on the autonomy of the universities. The education department has rejected it outright. The department also said that it has the right to know from the universities where and how this money is being spent.
It is the duty of the State Government to intervene in the matter
Regarding the referred case of the present BRA University, it has been told in the letter that under the Bihar State University Act, it is mandatory to declare examinations and results on time. This is the fundamental responsibility of the university. The concerned university has also defaulted in its primary responsibility of inspecting all the university departments and hostel colleges. Apart from this, the universities have not followed their primary responsibility in the inspection of their departments, colleges and hostels. In a letter written to the Principal Secretary of the Raj Bhavan, the Education Department has said that you will agree that the state government is only responsible and accountable towards the students and their parents, including the taxpayers. Therefore, when a university fails in its primary objective, it is the duty of the state government to intervene in the matter and seek a report.