HC relief for varsity’s former sports officer

GS Paul

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 30

The Delhi High Court has rekindled hopes of Dr Kanwaljit Singh, former Director of Sports, Guru Nanak Dev University, to be appointed Vice Chancellor of Laxmibai National Institute of Physical Education (LNIPE), Gwalior.

The court recently ordered the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to re-evaluate the appointment process within eight weeks and furnish a valid reason if it does not appoint Dr Kanwaljit. The LNIPE is a deemed university registered under the Madhya Pradesh Societies and Registration Act and is fully funded by the ministry.

Dr Kanwaljit said, “I was 63 when I applied for the post in response to an advertisement released in March 2015. The age limit is 70. The legal battle lasted three years, but I can still serve as VC for about four years, if selected.”

A Search-cum-Selection Committee had recommended a panel of three candidates (in order of merit) — Dr Kanwaljit Singh, followed by Dr Dilip Kumar Dureha and Dr Nayana D Nimkar.

The ministry selected Dr Dureha with the then minister’s noting in July 2015: “I have examined the biodata of all three candidates. I recommend Dr Dureha, considering his merit. We may seek ACC (Appointment Committee of Cabinet) approval for the same.”

The ACC, chaired by the PM, endorsed the selection on September 22, 2015. The next day, Dr Dureha was appointed VC, the post he has been holding till date.

Dr Kanwaljit challenged the decision in the court, but the Single Bench dismissed the plea on August 8, 2017, observing that “any person whose name finds a mention on the panel can be appointed, but specifying the reasons for recommending or appointing the person lower in the order of preference.”

Dr Kanwaljit submitted a review petition. He said, “In my case, the norms were set aside and merit was ignored by the ministry without citing any valid reason. During the hearing of my petition, the court’s Double Bench took cognisance of the matter. It was found that the ministry noting was silent on the reasons for picking the second candidate in the order of merit.”

Dr Dureha did not respond to calls or text messages despite repeated attempts.