The Tamil Nadu Governor and the University Grants Commission (UGC) found themselves in the Supreme Court in agreement with a petitioner who had challenged the State government’s authority to amend nine Acts, which took away the Governor’s power to appoint Vice-Chancellors (VCs) in State universities.
The petitioner in question, advocate K. Venkatachalapathy, had previously convinced the Madras High Court on May 21 to pass an interim order staying the amended Acts which clothed the State government, and not the Governor, with the power to appoint the VCs.
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The State, represented by senior advocate A.M. Singhvi and P. Wilson, had responded to the interim order by approaching the Supreme Court. The apex court had issued notice to Mr. Venkatachalapathy; the Union government; the UGC; the Tamil Nadu Governor; and the Human Resources and Development Ministry.
In a counter-affidavit, the Governor replied that the amendments made by the State government were deliberately meant to “bypass” binding UGC Regulations.
