Himachal Pradesh to strengthen control over University appointments and finances

The Himachal Pradesh government today introduced the “Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry (Amendment) Act, 2024” in the state assembly, signaling a significant shift in the governance of the state’s agricultural universities. The proposed amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry Act, 1986, will considerably expand the government’s role in key university appointments and financial decisions.

The bill, presented by Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar, aligns with the revised Model Act issued by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) in 2023. The amendments seek to rectify existing governance structures that have previously limited the state government’s influence over the appointment of vice chancellors and other senior officers, despite substantial financial contributions through grants-in-aid.

One of the key provisions in the bill is the restructuring of the Board of Management, particularly under Section 12 of the 1986 Act. Under the new structure, the Board, which oversees the governance of universities like Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya and Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, will now be constituted on the advice of the state government. This effectively means that the state will have greater authority in the selection and appointment of the vice chancellor and other pivotal administrative officers, thereby ensuring that the universities operate more closely in line with the government’s educational and financial policies.

Moreover, the amendment introduces Section 55-A, which empowers the state government to formulate rules that will further guide the implementation of the Act. This provision is expected to grant the government more leeway in influencing financial decisions within these universities, including the management of funds and resource allocation.

The state’s enhanced oversight extends to financial matters as well. By revising the composition of the Finance Committee, the government ensures its representatives play a more central role in the fiscal management of these institutions, potentially steering financial decisions to align with broader state objectives.

If enacted, these amendments will not only strengthen the government’s grip on the administrative and financial reins of agricultural universities in Himachal Pradesh but also align these institutions more closely with the educational standards and governance models prescribed by the ICAR.

This legislative move marks a decisive shift in how agricultural education and research will be governed in the state, reflecting the government’s intent to exert greater control over the direction and priorities of these key institutions.