Kerala Opposition Leader Satheesan Appeals to CM Vijayan for Resolution Against UGC Draft Regulations
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Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 11 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V.D. Satheesan, has addressed a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, advocating for the government to establish a unanimous resolution against the proposed University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations of 2025.
This appeal follows the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly's recent unanimous resolution, spearheaded by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, which called for the immediate retraction of the draft regulations.
In his correspondence, Satheesan articulated his apprehensions regarding certain clauses in the draft regulations pertaining to the selection and appointment of Vice-Chancellors (V-Cs) and the qualifications necessary for the recruitment and elevation of academic personnel in colleges and universities.
He cautioned that empowering the Chancellor (Governor) with such authority could profoundly affect Kerala's higher education landscape.
"If this legislation is enacted, the Governor would possess unrestrained power to execute the Centre's agenda, potentially undermining our revered higher education system. It is crucial for us to navigate this issue and adopt a unanimous resolution against it in the Assembly," Satheesan penned in his letter.
The Kerala Assembly, comprising 140 members, is scheduled to gather later this month for the budget session. With the BJP lacking representation in the Assembly, any resolution proposed by the Vijayan administration is expected to receive unanimous support.
The draft UGC regulations suggest endowing the Governor/Chancellor with the responsibility to establish a three-member search-cum-selection committee for appointing V-Cs. This committee would consist of nominees from the Chancellor, the UGC Chairman, and the university's governing body, such as its syndicate or senate.
Satheesan's letter emerges amid speculation regarding the role of the new Kerala Governor, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who recently took over from Arif Mohammed Khan. The latter often found himself at odds with the Vijayan administration concerning higher education policies.
Attention now shifts to the Kerala government and the forthcoming Assembly session to observe how this matter develops.
