Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad submitted a memorandum signed by one lakh students to the Governor of Maharashtra. The students’ organisation has demanded withdrawal of the proposed amendment in the Maharashtra Public Universities Act.
The Governor is also Chancellor of the universities in Maharashtra. The amendment aims to increase interference of the government representative into the affairs of the universities. The major amendment proposed is in the method of selecting a Vice-Chancellor of the University, which is the prerogative of the Chancellor, upon submission of a panel of five candidates to the highest authority.
With the amendment the Governor will have to appoint the person suggested by the Government. Instead of panel of five the Government will propose two names, of which one will have to be selected. This is alleged to be curtailing the powers of the Chancellor.
The universities are autonomous bodies and interference of the political parties is not recommended.
ABVP has opposed the proposed amendment. A memorandum expressing the opposition has been submitted to the Governor on Monday, by ABVP leaders.
The delegation also requested the Chancellor to control inordinate delay in the selection procedure of VC, by the Search Committee constituted for the purpose.