Indore: For first time in the 55 years of its history, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya functioned as a headless chicken for two continuous days after the State government clamped Section 52 of MP University Act 1973 which created vacuum at the coveted office.
The situation may remain the same till May 29 as Governor Anandiben Patel, who is also Chancellor of state varsities, on Tuesday left for Chhattisgarh for three days without appointing the vice chancellor at DAVV.
The appointment of VC at DAVV may take place only after she returns from Chhattisgarh.
Citing mismanagement and irregularities, the state government on Monday had clamped Section 52 at DAVV which led to ouster of Dr Narendra Dhakad as vice chancellor.
As per the Act, notifications of both Section 52 and appointment of new vice chancellor should be taken out simultaneously. But, according to sources, the government did not send panel of candidates for new VC to the Raj Bhawan along with Section 52 file which led to delay in appointed at DAVV.
The chancellor, when received the panel, will consult the government on the names and then appoint VC.
The names doing rounds include Suresh Silawat, PN Mishra, Ashutosh Mishra, Ashok Sharma, KN Chaturvedi, Sangeeta Jain, Priyanka Jain, Nisha Dubey, Dr BK Mehta and Shailendra Parasar.
The tradition
In the past, two times Section 52 was invoked at DAVV and the notification of appointment of VC had come along with the notification of Section 52.
On February 22, 1994, Section 52 was invoked for the first time at DAVV which led to ouster of Umrao Singh Chaudhary. On the same day, Surendra Singh Chandel had joined as the new VC.
On February 20, 2004, Section 52 was invoked for the second time at DAVV which led to ouster of Bharat Chhaparwal. On the same day, AL Sharma had joined as VC.
Third time when the Section 52 was invoked for unseating Dhakad, notification of new VC did not reach. Registrar Anil Kumar said that this had also happened at Vikram Vishwavidyalaya. When Section 52 was clamped there, the new VC was not immediately appointed.
DAVV at standstill
Administrative working at the university has come to a standstill as there is no one in the VC office for the past two days. “Dhakad was in chair till 1 pm on Monday but as the order of Section 52 came into force his work for the day was nullified,” said registrar Anil Sharma.
He said that the files approved by Dhakad on the day would require new VC’s nod now. That means there was no vice chancellor at the DAVV on Monday and Tuesday.
Wait continued
All day on Tuesday, the university officers kept on waiting for the appointment order of the new VC but no fax or communiqué was received.
There was also a possibility, amid information regarding the Chancellor and the government being at loggerheads, that senior most professor or dean of any faculty could be given charge till new vice chancellor is appointed but such missive was also not received from the Raj Bhawan.
Crisis due to vacancy
The vacancy at the VC office has not only paralysed official working, but also has led to a state of indecision on important issues like admissions and preparations for inspection by peer team of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
Lately, online common entrance test was held for admissions in teaching departments. Nearly 1,300 students could not take the exam due to technical glitches. “When their exam would be held and in which online or offline mode would be decided by new VC,” the registrar said.
The delay in VC’s appointment would also delay the admission process as well.
BOX VC should be local: DEVTA
Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya Teachers Association (DEVTA) president Nagendra Sohani said that the vice chancellor of DAVV should be a local professor.
“If someone from outstation would be made VC, he will take nearly six months to know about the university. We have a crucial NAAC’s inspection in next two months,
wherein presentation of VC will play key role in grading of the university. In such a situation, a local VC would be better,” he said. Other members of DEVTA also echoed the same views.
