Kochi: New govt stipulation to bring changes at helm of varsities

Kochi: With the High Court clearing the ordinance of the state government stipulating fixed term for statutory officers in the universities the other day, a new regime has come on top of the universities. Moreover, this will ensure change in the top administration of universities every four years when VCs and PVCs also change.

The new ordinance stipulates a term of four years or age of 56 whichever is earlier attained for statutory officers like finance officer, controller of examiners and registrar. This was earlier 60 years while other employees of universities retire at the age of 56.

“The new regime will put an end to long tenure for such officers who actually control the university, many of whom come in the way of effective implementation of crucial changes brought out by dynamic vice-chancellors,” said a senior higher education department official.

The official also said that there are instances where these statutory officers go on deputation to the post of vice-chancellors as well. “The change will bring an end to such practises and will bring dynamism at the top of the university. There is a provision in the ordinance to give a second term to efficient statutory officers which will turn beneficial to the universities,” said the higher education department official, underscoring the argument that the higher education department brought the ordinance with right intentions.

The Kerala High Court had rejected a batch of petitions filed by some affected statutory officers against the ordinance saying that the government was well within its power to bring out such an ordinance and there was nothing unconstitutional in it. The affected officers are understood to be planning to move the Supreme Court against the verdict.