Amid strong rumours of differences with the Vasundhara Raje-led state government, Rajasthan University Vice-Chancellor Dev Swaroop officially resigned from his post on Monday.
Divisional Commissioner of Jaipur H S Bhati will be appointed as the new VC.
A day ago Swaroop had a long meeting with Governor Kalyan Singh at the Governor House. Sources said that during the meeting with the Governor, the VC alleged that the BJP government was not cooperating with him.
He told the Governor that he was under immense pressure to resign, and it was becoming difficult for him to run the institution. After the meeting, Dev Swaroop offered his resignation, which was officially approved on Monday.
At the meeting with the Governor, Swaroop reportedly alleged that the university syndicate could not pass the annual budget for several months due to unnecessary opposition from government representatives
He said appointments of over 100 clerks and other staff were pending due to pressure from representatives of the state government. The registrar was also transferred by the state government without keeping him in the loop.
Although Dev Swaroop declined any substantial comment, he accepted that he had met the Governor to discuss several university issues and also the matter of “non-cooperation”.
Sources said ever since BJP came to power in Rajasthan, Swaroop was under pressure to resign. The Rajasthan University VC’s post is a prestigious one and the government wanted a fresh appointment.
In the past few months, Swaroop had faced opposition not only from the university staff but also in syndicate meetings where a number of BJP legislators are members.In the past few months, Swaroop had faced opposition not only from the university staff but also in syndicate meetings where a number of BJP legislators are members.
A large section of teachers went against him after he tightened norms for the university and affiliated colleges.
Several BJP legislators from Jaipur, who are syndicate members, said it was their duty to check irregularities in the university, so opposition was natural at syndicate meetings.
“It’s the responsibility of government representative in the syndicate to check irregularities and ensure that the university remains free of corrupt practices. We performed our duties,” syndicate member Surendra Pareek said.
A section of the teaching staff is demanding the Anti-Corruption Branch to probe several decisions taken by Swaroop.