Shimla, Aug 19,
The tussle between the Himachal Pradesh government and Raj Bhavan over the control of state farm universities escalated on Tuesday, after the Assembly rejected Governor-cum-Chancellor Shiv Pratap Shukla’s proposal to amend the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture and Horticulture University Act, 2023 in line with the Union Government’s Model Act.
Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar introduced amendments to Section 4(1) and a new Section 4(3), mirroring provisions of the Union Model Act, which would have enhanced the Governor’s role in the appointment process of Vice-Chancellors. However, in the absence of the opposition members, the House rejected the proposal through a voice vote.
What the Governor proposed
The Governor had recommended that as Chancellor, he should directly appoint Vice-Chancellors, with inputs from a nominee, including an expert from central institutions such as CSIR. The rejection of these amendments effectively nullifies this suggestion and keeps the power balance tilted toward the state government.
Also read:Guv locks horns with HP Cong Govt over VC appointment
A legal and constitutional clash
The Assembly’s decision comes just days after the Himachal Pradesh High Court stayed advertisements issued by Raj Bhavan inviting applications for Vice-Chancellor posts at Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, and CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur.
Also read:HC stays HP Governor’s VC Recruitment notices
The state government had earlier withdrawn these notifications, calling them “beyond the Governor’s legal competence.” Raj Bhavan, however, restored the advertisements and even extended deadlines, terming the withdrawal “illegal and unconstitutional.”
Governor Shukla has insisted that under the 1986 Universities Act, the Chancellor alone has the authority to initiate VC appointments and is not bound by cabinet advice, citing Supreme Court precedents. In contrast, Advocate General Anup Rattan, representing the state, has maintained that the Governor in his capacity as Chancellor functions as part of the university structure and is obliged to follow government directives.
Echoes beyond Himachal
The ongoing deadlock mirrors similar disputes in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where Governors and elected governments are at loggerheads over who should control the appointment of university heads.
With the Assembly holding its ground on the 2024 Act and the High Court seized of the matter, the confrontation in Himachal Pradesh has deepened into a full-blown constitutional contest between Raj Bhavan and the Sukhu-led Congress government—a battle that could set an important precedent for federal dynamics in higher education governance.
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.
