The Supreme Court has refused to interfere in the ongoing process of appointing vice-chancellors in various universities in Bengal after being informed that the committee headed by Justice UU Lalit already made its recommendations to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The top court also said on Monday that the process to appoint the vice-chancellors shall be completed by December 9.

 

A bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, observed during the hearing on Monday that the process of appointment in 34 varsities has been finalised and the finalisation of names of two universities was in the last stage.

 

The bench refused to interfere in the process of appointing vice-chancellors following certain objections raised by the office of Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose. 

 

The Supreme Court, on July 8 constituted “search cum selection committees” for all universities in Bengal headed by former Chief Justice of India U.U Lalit in the wake of differences between the chief minister and the governor, also the chancellor of all state universities regarding selection of the candidates.

 

The apex court during the hearing on Monday reiterated its earlier order where it had said that the state government or the governor’s office can raise their concerns before the Supreme Court if the governor or the chief minister don’t agree with any appointment.

 

The Supreme Court-appointed search committee for each varsity, headed by former CJI UU Lalit interviewed shortlisted candidates to appoint whole-time vice-chancellors in 34 state-aided universities. As many as 500 candidates were shortlisted.

 

The five-member committee received 2,500 applications sources said. Thirty-three names were finalised for permanent vice-chancellors on the first phase of interviews held between October 18 and October 28. The next phase started on November 6 and ended on November 10.

Meanwhile, the state higher department said it will publish fresh advertisement seeking applications for the post of vice-chancellors for two universities as the search committee overseen by the apex court could not find suitable candidates for appointing the VCs for the two universities.

 

The apex court took up the matter of appointments of vice-chancellors following a petition filed by the state government challenging chancellor Bose’s decision to appoint temporary vice-chancellors without consulting the chief minister.