The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has passed a bill in its original form, making it clear that vice-chancellors of the state’s two agriculture universities will be appointed by the chancellor on the aid and advice of the state government.
The House cleared the Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry (Amendment) Bill, 2023, while withdrawing the 2024 amendment bill that Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla had earlier sent back with several suggestions.
The 2023 bill was first passed in September 2023 and sent to the Governor, who later returned it with objections. To address this, the state had brought a fresh amendment bill in September 2024, which was forwarded to the Governor in October 19, that year. But the Governor pointed out that the 2023 bill had already been reserved for the President’s consideration by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in July 2024. He said it would not be right to act on the 2024 bill until the Centre responded. Following this, the state cabinet decided on July 29 this year to withdraw the 2024 bill. Though the Governor returned the 2024 amendment bill with suggestions, the state government chose to withdraw it.
The original 1986 Act had stated that the vice-chancellors would be appointed by the chancellor based on recommendations of a Selection Committee. This panel included a nominee of the chancellor, the Director General of ICAR, and the UGC chairperson or their nominee. But under the 2023 amendment, the Governor would appoint the vice-chancellor strictly on the “aid and advice” of the state government, as per rules.
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Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar proposed changes to Section 4(1) and suggested adding Section 4(3) in line with the ICAR Model Act to strengthen the Governor’s role. However, with no opposition members present, his proposal was rejected and the 2023 amendment was passed in its original form by the House.
The appointments of vice-chancellors of CSK Agriculture University, Palampur, and Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry have already been controversial between the Governor and the government. On July 21, the Raj Bhawan advertised the posts, which the government withdrew on August 12, calling any actions taken under it as “null and void.” A day later, on August 13, the Raj Bhawan reissued a detailed order restoring the July 21 notification for both universities and extended the deadline for applications to August 18 at 5 pm.
The Raj Bhawan stressed that the chancellor has statutory powers under Section 24 of the Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry Act, 1986, and is the only authority to start the appointment process. But on August 14, the Himachal High Court stayed the advertisement issued by the Raj Bhawan.
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