Appointment process of new RU V-C sparks row

Jaipur: The appointment process for Rajasthan University’s vice-chancellor has sparked a controversy.
R K Kothari is the current vice-chancellor of Rajasthan University. A UGC appointed search committee member has informed the governor and chancellor Kalraj Mishra that the process underway lacks transparency and violates the basic UGC norms. The search committee constituted for the appointment of the VC includes — Prof S K Dubey nominated by the governor, Prof D R Saini who is the nominee of the RU, Prof P C Trivedi, VC, Jai Narain Vyas University, has been nominated by the state government and Prof G D Sharma, VC, Atal Bihari Vajpayee University in Bilaspur is UGC nominee.
Sharma slapped two letters to the governor on May 23 and 28 drawing the attention of the chancellor office towards the two major lapses in the process. He stated, “The Chairman of the search committee without any consultation of any member of the search committee has issued the advertisement for the post of the vice-chancellor.”
He termed the move non-transparent and in utter violation of the mandatory norms which states that the search committee must hold a meeting before floating the advertisement for the post. “Even if the lockdown is in place, the meeting could have held virtually. The absence of the meeting makes the advertisement illegal,” said an official who is closely following the events.
The letter further raised the issue of violation of the UGC norms in stating the qualification for the post. “I would like to inform that the qualification mentioned in the advertisement ‘distinguished academician having a minimum of ten years’ experience as a professor in a university/college or equivalent position in reputed research’ is not in accordance with the existing UGC regulation,” the letter reads.
It demands that the advertisement needs to be recalled and modified without any further delay. Reacting to the letter, Subir Kumar, secretary to the governor, told TOI, “Yes, the governor house has received the letters. The office is examining the issues raised in the letter by the experts.”