Rajesh Suryavanshi’s Bold Stand Against Governor’s Wrongdoings Garners National Attention; Election Commission of India Initiates Immediate enquiry against Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla

Palampur :  IRT NEWS

After persistent reporting

by Rajesh Suryavanshi of India Reporter Today : International Web portal regarding the flawed constitution of the selection committee by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla for the appointment of a Vice Chancellor at HP Agriculture University, Palampur, the issue has gained national attention.

Recent developments have seen fingers pointed at the Governor for his allegedly wrongful acts, according to a report published in The Tribune on May 6, 2024.

Recently, following Governor Shiv Paratp Shukla’s announcement of constituting a selection committee for the appointment of the Vice Chancellor at the agriculture university in Palampur, heads and Deans from various departments of the university have raised objections, claiming that the panel was not formed according to the rules.

The committee, as per the advertisement published in newspapers, was formed under the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture, and Forestry Act, 1986.

Prof Kailash Chander Sharma, a former V-C of Kurukshetra University and a University Grants Commission (UGC) nominee, was appointed as the Chairman of the selection committee.

The other two members included RC Aggrawal, Deputy Director General Education at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in New Delhi, and Rajesh Sharma, a nominee of the Governor.

Heads and Deans of different departments of the agriculture university alleged that the selection committee constituted by the Governor violated rules on three counts.

They pointed out that the Director General of ICAR was replaced with the Deputy Director General, which was not in accordance with the law.

Additionally, they highlighted that the UGC nominee, who should have been of the Vice Chancellor’s rank, was made Chairman of the committee, contrary to the Act’s provisions.

Furthermore, the heads and Deans emphasized that the appointment process disregarded the amended provisions, as per the University Amendment Bill 2023 passed by the Himachal Pradesh government with a full majority in the assembly.

The bill, which aimed to resolve the deadlock between Raj Bhawan and the state government on VC appointments, was approved by the Governor with modifications after consultation with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

However, the present committee lacked a representative from the state government, as mandated by the amendment, and failed to include a representative of the rank of Vice Chancellor from the state government.

This disregard for the amended provisions prompted Rajesh Suryavanshi, Chairman of the Society for Human Welfare & Mission Against Corruption, H.P., to file a complaint with the Election Commission of India, alleging a violation of the election code of conduct.

In response to Suryavanshi’s complaint, the Election Commission assured that the matter had been forwarded to the concerned officers for a quick response.

The issue underscores a broader concern about democratic principles, fair governance, and the integrity of the selection process for key positions in educational institutions. As national media sheds light on these developments, pressure mounts on Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla to address the allegations of wrongdoing and ensure transparency and adherence to established norms in the appointment process.