Headless campus: VC appointment stuck in legal & political crossroads

The appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor (VC) for Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, is set to be delayed once again, as the state government has decided to amend the Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry Act, 1986. The Act governs the appointment process for VCs in both the Palampur-based Agriculture University and the Solan-based Horticulture and Forestry University.

Earlier, the Raj Bhavan had issued advertisements inviting applications for the top posts in both universities. However, the government withdrew them, announcing plans to introduce a Bill in the upcoming monsoon session of the state Assembly to modify rules related to VC appointments.

The Palampur university’s VC post has remained vacant for the past two years. Currently, Dr Naveen Kumar is serving as acting VC, following the retirement of Dr DK Vatsa in July last year. A similar leadership vacuum exists at the Horticulture and Forestry University in Solan.

The issue has long been a point of friction between the Raj Bhavan and the state government, with repeated failures to reach a consensus on appointments. At one point, the Raj Bhavan was compelled to appoint an acting VC from among senior deans—a first in the university’s 46-year history of never being headless for such a long period.

Since the retirement of former VC Dr HK Chaudhary in August 2023, the absence of a regular appointee has hampered the university’s research, teaching, and extension activities.

Last year, after The Tribune highlighted the matter, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla—also the Chancellor—formed a three-member committee and began the selection process. However, the Himachal Pradesh High Court stayed the process, citing anomalies in the committee’s formation that violated Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) guidelines.

Although the High Court has since lifted the stay, clearing the way for the appointment, the state government’s move to amend the statute has once again stalled progress. The delay risks further impacting academic and research functions at both institutions, with stakeholders expressing concern over prolonged administrative uncertainty.