J&K L-G Extends Terms of Two V-Cs, ‘Bypassing’ Consultation with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday (December 13, 2024) extended the terms of two Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) of two varsities in the Union Territory (UT) as their Chancellor. However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is the Pro-Chancellor of these varsities, was reportedly “bypassed” while these decisions were made.
In an order, Mr. Sinha extended the tenure of the V-C of Sher-I-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology- Kashmir (SKUAST-K) for a period of two years.
“In exercise of the powers vested in me under Section 25 (2) of the Sher-I-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Act, 1982, I, Manoj Sinha, Chancellor, Sher-I-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, hereby extend the tenure of Prof. Nazir Ganaie, Vice Chancellor, Sher-I-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, for a period of two (02) years w.e.f. 16.12.2024, the date of completion of his existing term as the Vice Chancellor, SKUAST Kashmir,” reads the order.
In another order, L-G Sinha approved extension of the term of Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University (JU), by three years.
Silent turf war
These decisions have once again brought to the fore the silent turf war between the newly-elected CM and the Raj Bhawan. Official sources close to the CM office confirmed that Mr. Abdullah was not taken onboard while making these decisions despite the CM being the Pro-Chancellor of these varsities.
Officials said the normal scheme of things required a consultation between the Chancellor and the Pro-Chancellor over selection or extension of term of V-Cs. They said the CM office may have reservations about the extension of the term of Mr. Ganaie due to “pending complaints against him with the General Administration Department (GAD)“.
In November, the Kashmir University (KU) decided to postpone interviews of shortlisted candidates for Assistant Professor positions after the elected government expressed reservations, citing rules that barred the V-C from holding such interviews with only five months of his tenure left. However, a fresh notification decided to go ahead with the interviews at the Vice-Chancellor’s Secretariat.
