Srinagar, Apr 21, KDC: Unease among academics is growing at the University of Kashmir (KU), where the Chancellor’s office is yet to constitute a search committee to find a new Vice Chancellor despite the incumbent VC crossing the upper age limit of 65 and her tenure ending in barely a month’s time from now.
Sources in know-how of university affairs told news agency Kashmir Dot Com the Chancellor’s Office should have initiated the process to constitute the search committee under relevant provisions of the University Act “because the present VC has not only crossed the age bar of 65, but also her tenure is ending on May 20, 2025”.
“It would take the search committee at least two months to complete its process, which includes inviting applications, their screening as well as the interview process, and then making the final recommendation to the Chancellor,” the sources said, adding that the search committee should have been notified by now.
It is argued by University teachers that the present Vice Chancellor has no “moral, legal or ethical right” to continue in office after turning 65 in age.
“Recently even the UGC chairman demitted the office on turning 65,” they said, adding that it is against well-established norms and practice to allow VC to continue beyond 65.
Academics have demanded that the charge of the in-charge VC be given to any other VC of any J&K University till the appointment of the new VC is made at KU.
Accusations are already rife that the University administration has made an impending inspection by NAAC as a pretext to facilitate continuation of VC beyond May 20.
“NAAC visit was supposed to take place six months before, but the University deliberately delayed submission of SSR and other formalities to delay the inspection for the VC to continue,” alleged the senior professors on the campus, on the condition of anonymity.
The professors demanded immediate change of guard in the spirit of upholding rules and regulations for future VCs to follow.
“Allowing the present VC to continue beyond 65 has already set a very bad precedent in total violation of rules,” the professors rued, seeking intervention of the Chancellor (LG Manoj Sinha) in addressing the matter with a sense of urgency.
Meanwhile, University teachers have sought immediate halt to policy matter decisions by the present VC, saying the same lack legal and moral sanctity. (KDC)
