A rift between Karnatak University Vice-Chancellor H B Walikar and former registrar (evaluation) J S Bhat has now turned out to be a tug of war between the V-C and the department of education.
V-C H B Walikar is in no mood to accept the state government order appointing J S Bhat as registrar (evaluation).
He is firm on not allowing J S Bhat to take charge as registrar (evaluation) of the University despite the government issuing a fresh order appointing Bhat to the post for two years.
Registrar S B Hinchigeri is in a fix, not knowing whether to honour the order issued by the government or follow instructions given by his immediate boss the vice chancellor. Interestingly, the notification on the appointment of J S Bhat as registrar has been sent as per the order of the governor and is signed by under secretary, education (Universities), Prakashrao Kesarkar.
The fact that Vice-Chancellor Walikar who has been appointed by the governor is not honouring the governor’s order has come in for criticism in the varsity circles.
Walikar, had on Monday instructed Hinchigeri not to permit Bhat to take charge as registrar (evaluation) without the V-C’s permission, termed the government order defective. He told reporters here on Tuesday that the government had erred in appointing Bhat again as registrar (evaluation). He said, Bhat was not eligible to hold the post.
“The varsity on several occasions had submitted memoranda to the chancellor and to the University Grants Commission (UGC) that Bhat is ineligible to become a professor as he has not submitted five research works. Unfortunately, till now no action has been taken and he was allowed to continue as Registrar (Evaluation) for two years’ which expired on May 30, 2012,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
Walikar’s contention is that the state government had not taken cognisance of the University Syndicate’s recommendation on the appointment of the registrar (evaluation). The KUD in its syndicate meeting in July recommended the names of professors S T Nandibevoor, Nazir Ahmed and Durgadas. Walikar contending that the government does not have the powers to choose the fourth candidate without taking the varsity into confidence as per the Karnataka State Universities Act, 2000. Thereby, the order sent by the government is defective and Bhat will not be allowed to report to duty as Registra (Evaluation),” he argued..
When asked whether the varsity had asked the government to reconsider its decision, Walikar stated that he had apprised Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar of the entire issue.
