Tamilnadu Governmnet Passed a Bill That Empowers the Government to Appoint Vice-Chancellors to State-Run Universities

The Tamil Nadu’s Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government passed a bill in the state assembly that empowers the government to appoint vice-chancellors (V-Cs) to state-run universities. It was passed amid the walkout of the members of the opposition parties.

The state government amended the two laws for two purposes - the appointment of a Vice-Chancellor and the inclusion of a finance secretary in universities. Chennai University Act, 1923 (Tamil Nadu Act VII of 1923) was one among them.

Currently, the Vice-Chancellor (V-Cs) of the state universities were appointed by the Governor of the state - the ex-officio chancellor of state universities. The higher education minister is the pro-Chancellor.

The appointment of the Vice-Chancellor (V-Cs) was already in force in other states like Gujarat and Telangana citing the Gujarat University Act, 1949, and the Telangana Universities Act, 1991 respectively.

By bringing a few other amendments, it was decided to include the finance secretary as one of the Syndicate Members in all the Universities. Among the two purposes, one amends the University laws of 12 state-run universities while the other amends the Chennai University Act, 1923 (Tamil Nadu Act VII of 1923).

   Important points for the exam:

• The state government of Tamil Nadu passed a bill regard the appointment of Vice-Chancellor (V-C) of all state-run universities.
• It amended University laws of 12 state-run universities and Chennai University Act, 1923.
• As per the bill, the Vice-Chancellor should be appointed by the state government.
• Currently, the Vice-Chancellor (V-Cs) of the state universities were appointed by the Governor of the state - the ex-officio chancellor of state universities.
• Also, the government decided to include a finance secretary in the universities.

   Facts to know:

• Governor: Mr.R. N. Ravi.
• Chief Minister: Mr.M. K. Stalin.
• Tamil Nadu based GI products - Puliyankudi acid lime, Thooyamalli rice and Virudhunagar sambha vathal, etc.,