NEWS IMPACT

• HP Government Introduces Bill to Reform University Vice Chancellor Appointments 

Shimla, Sept 20 – The Himachal Pradesh government has taken a significant step towards reforming the appointment process of Vice Chancellors in the state’s universities.

Today, in the state assembly, the Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi introduced a legislation aimed at regulating these appointments and granting the state government the authority to establish appointment rules.

Cabinet Minister Negi emphasized that the primary objective of this bill is to standardize financial arrangements and employment conditions for employees in Himachal Pradesh’s educational institutions, including the Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishyavidyalya in Palampur and Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Solan.

Furthermore, the proposed “Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry (Amendment Bill 2023)” seeks to enforce consistent teaching, research, and extension education standards within these universities, aligning them with national educational policies.

This bill introduces amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry Act, 1986, specifically affecting sections 2, 23, and 24. It also introduces a new section, 55-A, granting the state government the power to establish appointment rules.

Previously, the Parent Act did not involve the democratically elected government in the Vice Chancellor selection process, despite providing financial support to these institutions.

The move aligns with the National Education Policy, 2020, aiming to create world-class institutions with a commitment to constitutional values and nation-building.

In a democratic nation, the appointment of Vice Chancellors must be based on eminence to foster constitutional values and excellence in higher education.