(S.Ravi Seshu)

KCR government seems to be in for rude jolts on education front this week. Even as the government is in a fix over the leakage of Engineering, Agriculture, Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET), the High Court quashed the Government Orders appointing Vice Chancellors to eight universities in Telangana.
The Court issued the order after hearing a petition challenging the validity of the procedure followed in appointing VCs. It has already expressed displeasure over the government’s haste in appointing VCs when the matter is pending with the Court. A couple of former Professors had approached the High Court questioning certain deviations the KCR government made to appoint VCs of its choice. The appointments are kept under suspension till an appeal is filed or the next hearing of the case after four weeks.
The petitioners took objection to the GO MS No.38 (dated December 19, 2015) issued by the government making an amendment in the “Revised UGC Scales Pay, 2006, under item (f), Selection of Vice-Chancellors, for para 4 (i). The amendment is as follows:

“ i) Persons of the highest level of competence, integrity, morals and institutional commitment are to be appointed as Vice-Chancellors. The Vice-Chancellor to be appointed should be a distinguished Academic, with a minimum of 5 years experience as Professor in a University System or 5 years experience in an equivalent position in a Reputed Research Organization or a distinguished person with proven administrative capabilities”.

The GO had raised many eyebrows as it is very clear that anybody of the government choice fits into the definition of “a distinguished person with proven administrative capabilities.’

The High Court is hearing a petition challenging the removal of minimum qualification for the VCs and taking away the powers of the Governor in this regard.