Kerala cabinet approves draft bill to remove governor as chancellor

The state cabinet, gave its nod to the draft bill that will remove the governor from the chancellor post of all the universities in state. It is learned that this bill will be brought on the very first day when the assembly session begins on December 5. Though the state cabinet has given its nod to the draft bill, once the assembly passes an Act, it has to be approved by the governor later.

Since an amendment in the Universities Act will have to be made for each university, a decision was taken to have a single chancellor for like-minded universities. Hence, the cabinet decided to bring in five separate amendments for creating the chancellor’s post. The allowances and other benefits for the chancellor will be met from the university’s fund. It is learnt that there will be separate chancellors for Health, Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture, digital, veterinary and universities and Cusat. There will be a single chancellor forKerala, Calicut, Kannur, MG, Sanskrit, Malayalam and Sree Narayana universities.

The service period of a chancellor will be five years and the office will be set up at the university’s headquarters. A person will be eligible for re-appointment as chancellor for only one additional term. The higher Education minister will be the pro-chancellor of all universities in Kerala. The government has decided to rope in experts from respective fields as chancellors.

The amendment is being brought in the Universities Act to remove the clause that the person holding the position of the governor will also be the chancellors of all universities in the state.