Controversy over extension of tenure of two Vice Chancellors, Jammu and Kashmir government and Raj Bhavan face to face

Jammu Kashmir News: Tension has started between Jammu and Kashmir government and Raj Bhavan. The matter is about extension of tenure of the Vice Chancellors of two universities. It is being said that the tenure of two Vice Chancellors was extended by bypassing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. According to sources, LG Manoj Sinha unilaterally extended the tenure through two separate orders on December 13, 2024, highlighting the ongoing power struggle between the elected government and the Raj Bhavan.

The tenure of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Vice-Chancellor Professor Nazir Ahmed Ganai has been extended for two years from December 16, 2024, while the tenure of Jammu University Vice-Chancellor Professor Umesh Rai has been extended on the expiry of the current tenure on April 5. , will remain in office for three additional years from 2025. Both extensions were granted under the provisions of the respective acts governing these institutions, which give the Lieutenant Governor significant powers over appointments to the universities. Raj Bhavan’s move has been sharply criticized by the Omar Abdullah government.

The conflict between Raj Bhavan and the government increased

It was said that the Chief Minister was not consulted. However, the Chief Minister is playing the statutory role of Pro-Vice-Chancellor for these universities. The Chief Minister’s Office is reportedly particularly concerned about the extension of Professor Ganai’s tenure as complaints are pending against him in the General Administration Department. The controversy has deepened the tension between the newly elected government and the Raj Bhavan, which came to power since October. Officials have described the expansion as a violation of protocol and democratic norms.

Case of extension of tenure of Vice Chancellors

The Lieutenant Governor has wide-ranging powers under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019, which often override the elected government. This leaves the Chief Minister’s Office with limited powers, especially in matters where the Reorganization Act empowers the Lieutenant Governor to act at his discretion. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had recently called for a ban on re-appointment, extension and attachment to administrative and academic posts to promote good governance.

In a meeting held on 3 December, he had criticized the culture of expansion and stressed the need to end such practices. However, the Lieutenant Governor’s latest orders appear to violate this directive, further worsening relations between the two offices.

Earlier, controversies had arisen over the continuation of Advocate General DC Raina in the post, transfer of senior bureaucrats and use of Article 311 to dismiss government employees without investigation. Abdullah government is about to complete two months since coming to power. In such a situation, the increasing conflict with Raj Bhavan has raised serious questions on the functioning of the governance structure in Jammu and Kashmir.

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