As Chancellor, I have authority to appoint Vice Chancellors: Himachal Governor Shukla

Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said today that if the state government chooses to bypass him in the appointment of Vice Chancellors, he will deal with it according to the directives of the Supreme Court. He was responding to the media about the face-off between Raj Bhawan and the state government over the appointment of Vice Chancellors to government universities after flagging off Red Cross relief material for disaster-affected families in Kullu and Chamba from Raj Bhawan.

Shukla said the issue of appointing Vice Chancellors to universities in the state falls within his domain as Chancellor of the universities. “I want to clarify that, as Governor, I am the Chancellor of the university who has the authority to appoint the Vice Chancellor. If the state government chooses to bypass me, it’s their headache. I will deal with it based on the Supreme Court’s decision on the President of India’s queries,” said Shukla.

“It’s for the state government to run its affairs. I have only referred the letter received regarding giving additional charge of important posts to the state government,” he said regarding Raj Bhawan seeking a reply from the state government on giving additional charge of top posts such as Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF).

“If I feel that a situation has arisen where I need to take it up with the state government, I will speak with them again,” he added. Shukla emphasised that it is the state government’s responsibility to ensure competent officers are posted to these important positions on a regular basis, rather than as officiating officers.