PANJIM: Amidst controversy over an extension to Goa University (GU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Satish Shetye, the government on Friday issued an ordinance after it was approved by the cabinet that will pave the way to extend Shetye’s term by one year. The ordinance has been sent to Governor Mridula Sinha for her consent. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar is hopeful of a positive reply from her.
The Governor and the State government are at loggerheads over the issue with Sinha, also the University Chancellor, on Thursday directing the university to relieve not only Shetye from his post but also GU Registrar V P Kamat on Friday.
Both the top officers were, however, not relieved and their continuance will be decided on Monday. Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has maintained silence on the issue and repeatedly said he would comment only on Monday.
Meanwhile, one of the members of GU executive committee, Peter Ronald De Souza expressed discontent on the GU’s lethargy to initiate the succession process.
In a letter to the GU VC, in response to a notice from the Registrar calling for a special meeting to change the Statutes of GU, De Souza said that the succession process has to be examined in detail because it concerns the two most important offices of the VC and of the Registrar while also pointing out to violation of the GU Amendment Act.
“The proposed change is in violation of the GU Amendment Act May 2006 Clause 15 (B) which places a bar on University and its authorities to make any statute dealing with retirement age or granting of any extension to any employee of the University. The agenda for the Special Meeting is hence in violation of the law as per 15b of the Act,” he said.
De Souza, a former professor of GU and former director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, and a member of the UPSC committee, questioned why the same benefit should not be extended to principals, deans, and heads of departments.
