Madras HC stays provision enabling Tamil Nadu government to appoint vice chancellors

NEW DELHI: The Madras high court on Wednesday granted an interim stay on a provision that empowers the Tamil Nadu government to appoint vice chancellors in state-run universities despite strong objections from the MK Stalin-government.

The provision that has been stayed was originally part of the Bills that received deemed assent from the Supreme Court in the Tamil Nadu government versus governor case.

The petitioner in the case is an advocate who also holds a position within the BJP.

A division bench comprising justices GR Swaminathan and V Lakshmi Narayanan issued the stay. The state government opposed the case saying that it was taken up in haste.

The plea was filed earlier this month when the petitioner argued that the amendments conflict with the objectives and regulatory framework of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

"State universities are recognized as universities within section 2 (f) of UGC Act and are also recognized by the commission under applicable regulations. Therefore, any amendments made by state affecting such universities, especially in areas already covered by the regulation concerning the appointment of VCs, constitute a violation of the constitutional distribution of powers," the petitioner said.