Principals in three Grade II government colleges in Tiruchi district have taken charge in Srirangam, Thuraiyur and Manapparai this week, in implementation of a drive by the Department of Higher Education to appoint 112 associate professors as principals in arts and science colleges and colleges of education in the State.As per a government order (GO) issued on August 31, K. Vasudevan, who was serving as associate professor in Tamil, at Thanthai Periyar Government Arts and Science College, Tiruchi, has been appointed as principal of Government Arts and Science College, Thuraiyur.T. Abirami, associate professor in Economics, Government Arts College, Nandanam, Chennai, has taken charge as principal of Government Arts and Science College, Manapparai.P. David Livingstone, associate professor in English, Government Arts College, Tiruchi, and State president, Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers’ Association, has been appointed as principal of Government Arts and Science College, Srirangam.Prior to the GO, over 100 Grade II colleges and 25 Grade I colleges were functioning without a full-time principal. A dispute over seniority and a subsequent court case had also held up proceedings. The vacancies were filled through an online counselling process to increase transparency in the recruitment process.“We hope the authorities will take the requisite steps to resolve the pay disparity between teaching faculty in government colleges at the earliest,” Mr. Livingstone told The Hindu. Published - September 03, 2026 06:36 pm IST