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Kunnumal’s tenure as Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Health Sciences was scheduled to end on October 25.
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. (File Image: X/@ANI)
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan has re-appointed Mohanan Kunnumal as the Vice Chancellor of Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS), prompting the ruling Left party to condemn the decision as “undemocratic” and without precedent.
According to the appointment order, Kunnumal, whose tenure as VC was scheduled to end on October 25, was reappointed on Thursday for a period of five years or till he attains the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. Had gone.
Additionally, Chancellor Khan also appointed him as the interim VC of the University of Kerala until the VC is appointed on a regular basis. Both appointments will be effective from October 26.
The chancellor’s decision to reappoint Kunnummal was criticized by the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), state health minister Veena George and teachers’ organisations.
LDF convenor TP Ramakrishnan said in a statement that as per rules, the tenure of the current vice-chancellor can be extended only for six months till the next vice-chancellor takes charge.
“However, the Chancellor’s order has extended the tenure by five years in violation of this provision,” he said.
Ramakrishnan said that in state-funded universities, such appointments are generally made in consultation with the government. He criticized the Governor’s ‘interference’, saying it undermines the progress of universities in Kerala.
LDF has also called for strong protests against this decision. In his statement, Minister George said that Khan’s decision to reappoint the Vice Chancellor of the Health University was taken without consulting the democratically elected government, and was taken unilaterally.
“It is unacceptable to take unilateral decisions by those who are expected to uphold constitutional and democratic values. Such actions are completely regrettable,” George said.
The Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) termed the appointment as “undemocratic” and an “excessive use of power”.
FUTA, in a press release, alleged that the Chancellor’s unilateral action was creating a serious crisis in Kerala universities. Its president Professor Chakrapani and general secretary S Naseeb said in the release that teachers in all universities of Kerala will observe October 25 as “Black Day” to protest against the Chancellor’s decision.
In an apparent reference to Khan’s previous criticism of reappointment of vice-chancellors, he alleged that those who see reappointment of vice-chancellors in universities as a crime had canceled the search committee for appointing the new VC at KUHS and appointed a person Re-appointed. Of their choice.
(This story has not been edited by AyraNews24x7 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI,
- Place :
Thiruvananthapuram, India
