Tamil Nadu government holds talks with Governor over Vice-Chancellor appointments
Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan said consultations are ongoing to resolve differences regarding the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in state-run universities.
Higher Education Minister P. Viswanathan said on Wednesday that the Tamil Nadu government is in constant contact with the Governor to reach an agreement on Vice-Chancellor appointments. According to The Hindu, these discussions are taking place while the issue remains subject to litigation.
The Minister stated that he, School Education Minister Rajmohan, and the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker met the Governor last week to discuss the appointments. He mentioned that consultations are continuing and some agreements are being reached, adding that they will meet the Governor again in one week.
As a temporary measure, senior professors have been placed in charge as Vice-Chancellors at Alagappa, Annamalai, and Manonmaniam Sundaranar Universities. Viswanathan said the Chancellor, the Chief Minister, and the Pro-Chancellor all want a quick solution to the matter.
During a National Education and Urdu Day Celebration at the University of Madras, the Minister also noted that his department has addressed long-standing issues. This includes extending the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) to teachers in government-aided colleges, who had protested at least 52 times over the last five years.
The government has also increased the honorarium for guest lecturers by Rs 5,000 and announced a Rs 2,000 crore free laptop scheme for college students. Viswanathan promised to take the demand for a teachers' training centre for Urdu teachers to the Chief Minister.