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President Murmu has returned the Tamil Nadu University of Madras Amendment Bill, dealing a setback to the Stalin government’s plan to appoint vice chancellors. The move revives the Centre-state tussle over control of varsities and puts the fate of long-vacant VC posts in question.
Tamil Nadu varsity amendment bill returned by President
Chennai: In a significant development, President Droupadi Murmu has returned the Tamil Nadu University of Madras Amendment Bill, which sought to empower the state government to appoint the vice chancellor of the 168-year-old institution. The decision marks a setback for the Stalin-led government’s plan to assume greater control over the historic university.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed the amendment bill in April 2022, with the objective of transferring the authority to appoint and remove the vice chancellor from the governor who serves as the ex-officio chancellor of the university to the state government.
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The proposed amendment involved replacing the term “chancellor” with “government” in the University of Madras Act, effectively giving the state the power to make key administrative decisions.
Before being sent to the President, the bill had already faced scrutiny from Governor R. N. Ravi, who reserved it for presidential consideration. The Governor had cited concerns that the proposed changes might conflict with University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations and established norms governing the appointment of vice chancellors.
According to official sources, President Murmu has returned the bill to the Assembly for reconsideration. The move requires the state legislature to review the proposed amendments and address any concerns highlighted by the President before the bill can be enacted.
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The return of the bill comes amid ongoing administrative challenges in the state’s higher education sector. About 14 out of 22 universities in Tamil Nadu, including the University of Madras, have been functioning under convenor committees due to the absence of regular vice chancellors. The bill had been seen as a step toward stabilizing leadership in these institutions, but its return now delays the process.
The Tamil Nadu Assembly will have to revisit the bill, potentially making revisions to align it with UGC guidelines and address constitutional or procedural concerns. The development underscores the delicate balance between state autonomy and regulatory oversight in the administration of higher education in India.
