Guv locks horns with HP Cong Govt over VC appointment
Shimla, Aug 14,
Himachal Pradesh Governor-cum-Chancellor Shiv Pratap Shukla has rejected the State government’s withdrawal of two notifications for appointing Vice-Chancellors at Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni (Solan), and CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, terming the move “patently illegal” and “unconstitutional.”
In a detailed order issued from Raj Bhavan on August 13, the Governor restored the July 21 advertisements for both universities and extended the application deadline to August 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. He maintained that the Chancellor—vested with statutory powers under Section 24 of the Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry Act, 1986—is the sole competent authority to initiate the VC appointment process.
The Governor argued that while exercising statutory powers, the Chancellor is not bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers, even if the cabinet decides otherwise. He asserted that the process was legally sound and cited Supreme Court judgments, including Dr. Premchandran Keezhoth vs. Chancellor Kannur University, to defend his stand.
Earlier to this, the Himachal Pradesh Government formally withdrew the July 21 Raj Bhavan notifications, terming them beyond the Governor’s legal competence. The Agriculture Department’s order, issued with the approval of the competent authority, was based on the legal opinion of Advocate General Anup Rattan, who maintained that the Governor, when acting as Chancellor, is an officer of the university and bound to follow government directives.
The Advocate General also opined that the 1986 Act does not empower the Secretary to the Governor to issue advertisements for VC posts, a responsibility vested in the University Registrar or the Secretary of the administrative department. He further noted that the advertisements omitted equivalent posts such as Principal Scientist or Principal Agronomist, thereby excluding eligible candidates.
The government’s move also draws on recent judicial pronouncements, including rulings in a Tamil Nadu case, which held that the Chancellor must respect the constitutional role of other democratic institutions. The state recalled that the 2023 Amendment Bill—meant to restore government control over VC appointments—was returned by the Governor, but will be reintroduced in the assembly session starting August 18.
The clash has now escalated into a full-blown constitutional tussle between the Congress-led Sukhu government and the Raj Bhavan, echoing similar disputes over university appointments in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
