At least three organisations representing working and retired faculty members of various higher education institutions in Tamil Nadu have separately issued statements, condemning Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi for unilaterally constituting “search-cum-selection” committees for filling the posts of Vice-Chancellors in three State universities.
The Joint Action Council of College Teachers (JAC), Tamil Nadu, which is a confederation of three organisations — MUTA (Madurai Kamarajar, Manonmaniam Sundaranar, Mother Teresa and Alagappa University Teachers Association), AUT (Association of University Teachers) and TNGCTA ( Tamil Nadu Government Collegiate Teachers Association), said the Governor’s move was tantamount to appropriating the power of the State Assembly.
The Tamil Nadu government has officially opposed the Governor’s action of constituting the committees for the three universities — Bharathiar University, University of Madras, and the Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University. In a statement, Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy said Governor did not have the powers to do so.
