Governor as Chancellor must act on directives of legislature, says Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said it is the state legislature which gives powers to the Governor as Chancellor of the Horticulture and Agriculture Universities and he must act on the directives of the government.

“The powers that the Governor enjoys as Chancellor of a university are not constitutional but given by the Vidhan Sabha Act. So he must act on the directives of the legislature and the government,” said Sukhu on the ongoing stalemate on the issue of appointment of Vice-Chancellors (VC) of the Horticulture and Agriculture Universities at Nauni in Solan and Palampur.

“Now, since the Assembly session is to be held, the Governor had been apprised by the Cabinet, Agriculture Minister and Secretary (Agriculture) that the advertisement for the appointment of the two VCs had been withdrawn as the government intended to bring about a new legislation in the ensuing monsoon session beginning August 18,” said Sukhu. He was told that the directive of the government is to withdraw the advertisement, but he chose to extend the deadline for receiving applications for the post, he added.

Sukhu said the High Court had also taken cognisance of this development and put a stay on the proceedings. “I hold the Governor in high esteem…from time to time, we act on the directions that he gives. I will personally meet the Governor and discuss the issue with him as he might have been advised by some official,” said Sukhu.

“The Governor has always shown concern for various issues concerning the state’s interest, including drug menace. We keep having discussions on all such issues,” he said. He said many Bills passed by the Assembly, including Sukhashraya Bill and the Bill to curb corrupt practices in politics are pending with the Governor.

Sukhu said the Bill for making amendment in the Himachal Pradesh University of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry Act, 1986 had been pending with the Governor for some time and now, he has sent it back with some objections.

The relations between the Raj Bhawan and the state government have not been very cordial, especially with there being no consensus on the issue of appointment of Vice-Chancellors of the Horticulture and Agriculture Universities. The issue of some Bills passed by the Vidhan Sabha not getting Governor’s assent has also been a sore point.

Despite the state government — on August 11 — withdrawing the advertisement inviting applications for the post of two Vice-Chancellors, the Governor’s Secretariat two days later (August 13) issued a notification extending the date for applying for the two posts till August 18.

My decision in HP’s interest, says Shukla

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Saturday said the action taken by him with regard to the appointment of Vice-Chancellors of the Palampur Agriculture and Nauni Horticulture University was correct and in the interest of Himachal. The Governor was responding to the ongoing tussle between the Raj Bhawan and state government on the issue of selection of Vice-Chancellors of the two universities. Shukla said he cannot comment on the decision of the High Court. “What I have done is in the interest of the university. I respect the High Court stay order, but will do what I have to do. I will leave this decision to the people of Himachal to decide why such a thing is being done with the Palampur Agriculture and Nauni Horticulture University,” he said.