Madras High Court Asks for Explanation
The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide an explanation regarding the delay in appointing Vice-Chancellors and Syndicates to 14 state-run universities. This action follows concerns raised about the universities’ operational status for the past three to four years.
Court’s Concerns
Justice N. Anand Venkatesh expressed serious concern over the situation, highlighting that the universities have been operating without Vice-Chancellors and properly constituted Syndicates. The judge noted that the current arrangement, relying on Convenor Committees headed by the Higher Education Secretary, is a temporary solution.
Contempt of Court Petition
The court was dealing with a batch of applications filed by retired employees of Annamalai University, seeking to reopen contempt of court petitions related to the non-disbursement of their pensions. Senior counsel R. Singaravelan explained that the Registrar was facing difficulties administering the university due to the lack of a Vice-Chancellor and Syndicate.
University of Madras and Anna University Issues
The judge referenced previous cases involving the University of Madras and Anna University, where prolonged court pressure was required to settle the retirement benefits of former employees. He stated that a common issue across these universities is the absence of a regular administrative setup.
Government Response Requested
The Higher Education Secretary has been impleaded as a respondent and is required to inform the court on November 17, 2026, about the steps the government has taken to rectify this situation. The judge emphasized that the lack of a functional administrative structure is negatively impacting the universities and higher education in Tamil Nadu.
Source: The Hindu. Featured image credit: The Hindu.
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