Last updated time: 06 Mar 2023 11:04 IST
In his letter, Arif Muhammad Khan questioned the legality of the state government’s formation of a search committee (File photo/Twitter)
Dr. Sabu Thomas of Mahatma Gandhi University was issued a Malayalam university surcharge notice on Saturday, the Kerala Raj Bhavan said.
Kerala Governor Arif Muhammad Khan, as chancellor of universities in the state, has directed Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU) Vice-Chancellor Tunchat Ejuthachan to take over the duties of Malayalam University VC as well.
Dr. Sabu Thomas of Mahatma Gandhi University was issued a Malayalam university surcharge notice on Saturday, the Kerala Raj Bhavan said.
In it, Thomas said that he will take charge immediately and will serve in this capacity until further orders.
“This is in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 29, Sub-section 9 of the Tunchat Ejuthachan Malayalam University Act read with Clause 7(3) of the UGC Act, 2018,” Kerala Raj Bhavan said.
The move comes days after the governor, who acts as chancellor of universities in the state, opposed the state government’s decision to form a committee to search for a Malayalam university vice-chancellor (VC).
In his letter, Khan questioned the legality of setting up a search committee for the state government.
Tunchat Ejuthachan Malayalam University, considered the father of Malayalam language, is located in Tirur, Malappuram district.
The chancellor’s office said Khan’s response came after the state government repeatedly asked him to nominate him to the committee.
Sources said the state government has constituted a committee on the basis of the University Act (Amendment) Bill, which empowers the appointment of vice-chancellors of universities.
However, the bill is still pending before the governor, who has yet to sign it into law.
In his letter, the governor said that there is currently no law empowering the government to form a search committee.
The term of former Malayalam University VC V Anil Kumar ended on February 28.
As per the University Act, the search committee consists of the Chancellor’s nominee and a representative from each of the Government and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
However, the government has decided to form a five-member committee that includes candidates from the university syndicate and the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC).
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(This story was not edited by News18 staff and was published by a syndicated news outlet)
