Madurai: Taking into account that there are no vice-chancellors (VC) in almost 14 universities in the state, Madras high court sought a response from the state on the reasons for not filling up the posts of VCs and the steps taken by the present administration to fill up the posts.
The court was hearing the petition filed by A Velanganni Joseph, challenging the appointment of S Muthaiah as registrar (in-charge) of Madurai Kamaraj University, contending that he does not possess the required qualification.
Senior counsel for the university submitted that Muthaiah is acting only as a registrar in-charge on a temporary basis and that he possesses all the required qualifications and was appointed by a competent authority. He further submitted that a notification has been issued for the appointment of a regular registrar on June 2, and the last date for submitting applications was also fixed as July 8. Applications have been received, and the process of appointing a regular registrar is underway.
Justice B Pugalendhi observed that during the course of hearing, the counsel on either side submitted that there are no VCs in almost 14 universities in the state and that most of them are now administered by the registrars in-charge, with all the decisions being taken by the convenor committee.
Though the court is not inclined to entertain the petition, considering the submissions made across the Bar that there have been no VCs in almost 14 universities for several years, the judge sought the report from the principal secretary of the higher education department.
