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'Adhere to varsities Act in appointing registrars'

Last Updated 02 December 2009, 17:51 IST
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Governor H R Bhardwaj has asked Chief Minister Yeddyurappa to henceforth strictly adhere to the provisions of the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000 in letter and spirit while making appointments of registrars to the universities.

In a letter to the CM on November 25, the Governor said the provisions of the Act should be followed so that discontent over the issue of appointment of registrars to the universities is avoided in the best academic interests of the universities. Bhardwaj, on November 20, had written to the CM asking to spell out a clear cut policy in regard to appointment of registrars to the universities in the state.

The Governor's office had also sought the opinion of Advocate General Ashok Harnhalli in the wake of controversies surrounding the appointments of academicians as registrars of Mangalore and Karnatak Universities by the Government.

The Governor cited KSU Act [Section 17(1)] stipulates that an officer belonging to the All India Services working in super-time scale may be appointed as registrar of a conventional university by the State Government.

The Governor, while forwarding a copy of the letter of the Advocate General to the CM, said the letter is self-explanatory. The Advocate General is of the view that it is only an officer belonging to All India Services working in super-time scale who should be appointed as a registrar.

The Governor has concurred with the views expressed by the Advocate General, and asked the government to adhere strictly to the Act.

Officials’ version

Top officials of the higher education department, when contacted for reaction, said even now the government, while appointing registrars, is following the KSU Act. "The Act clearly says that an officer belonging to the All India Service may be appointed as registrar. This also implies that he may not be appointed. So it is not mandatory for the government to appoint only IAS/IPS/IFS officers. The recent appointment of the registrars to Bangalore University has been done according to the legislative sanction", an officer said.

Asked how the government would avoid controversies while appointing registrars in future, the officer said as long the KSU Act is in place, the present system will continue.

The government has constituted a committee of eight members headed by former VC N R Shetty to recommend amendments to the KSU Act. The panel, set up a year ago, is expected to submits its report to the government shortly.

A committee member said, "Now there is some ambiguity in the KSU Act. But the committee, in its report categorically will say who could be appointed as registrars.

“Academicians are preferred over officials to perform as registrars. In case the government decides to implement the recommendations, the KSU Act will have to be amended. The panel is also in favour of bringing the Visvesvaraya Technological University, Kannada University and Karnataka State Open University under the KSU Act".

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(Published 02 December 2009, 17:51 IST)

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