Bihar governor issues circular on Rajbhavan's jurisdiction
Hindustan Times, October 22, 2009
In a bid to clearly define the authority of the Chancellor in matters
of higher education, Governor Devanand Konwar has issued a circular to
all Vice-Chancellors (VCs) of the State, outlining the jurisdiction of
the Rajbhavan in the academic as well as administrative matters.

Citing sub-sections 7(2) and 8 of Section 76(9) of the Bihar State
Universities Act, 1976, the circular issued by Deputy Secretary, Raj
Bhawan, K B Sahni, clearly states: “The power to issue orders and
guidelines with regard to academic and administrative affairs
concerning universities is vested in the Chancellor.”

Continuing further, it says: “The VCs, statutory officers and
university officials will now onwards comply with orders and
guidelines issued by the Raj Bhawan only. Beyond this, they are not
bound to abide by directions and guidelines issued by anyone without
jurisdiction and authority.”

According to sources, the Chancellor issued the circular after
carefully studying the provisions in the two Acts governing the
universities in Bihar. He also sought legal opinion on the matter.
This is the first time any Chancellor has issued such a circular to
reaffirm his authority in university matters.

The circular was sent to all VCs in the State on October 17. Though
many of them are yet to go through it due to the ongoing Puja holidays
in universities, they are all aware of it.

The circular is significant as it comes as a setback to Human
Resources Development Department’s recent attempts to play a more
active role in university affairs.

The circular has, however, left financial affairs for the Government
to handle. The Government gives around Rs 800 crore annual grant to
nine universities of the State..

Konwar had earlier told HT during an interview that he would not allow
any infringement on the authority of the Chancellor or erosion of
autonomy of universities in any way.

“There is a clear demarcation of responsibility and authority in the
Acts and Statutes governing the universities. Nobody should try to
overstep the limits for that will only lead to confusion,” he said,
adding he would issue guidelines to all the VCs.

Incidentally, in the last couple of months, the state Human Resources
Department had issued several orders related to academic activities.
HRD Secretary K K Pathak had sought details of the examination
calendars from the universities and directed them to complete the
examination process by December 31. The HRD secretary recently
directed two universities to suspend two teachers and lodge FIRs
against them and lodged a case against Magadh University VC on the
charges of non-cooperation in auditing.

The Chancellor’s office had to intervene after several delegations of
teachers’ associations called on the Chancellor, seeking his
intervention to prevent interference in academic and administrative
matters of the universities.

As for the new developments, a couple of VCs said that they would now
onwards refer HRD’s directives to the Rajbhavan for guidelines. “The
circular says it all. We have to first abide by what the Chancellor’s
office says,” they stressed.