Bhubaneswar: In a setback to Odisha government, governor SC Jamir today returned the bill to amend Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) Act which proposes to create a pro-chancellor post, that would give the government a say in the internal affairs of the University.
If sources are to be believed, the Governor has also expressed his displeasure over the direct intervention of a cabinet minister in such a manner and said the step would adversely affect the autonomy of the college and increase government intrusion.
The bill which has already been passed in the Assembly, seeks to create a pro-chancellor post which will be assumed by the Skill Development and Technical Education minister, thus enabling the government to have a say in the internal matters of the university. Moreover, the pro-Chancellor post can use the powers of the chancellor thereby granting authority to the State government in matters like recruitment, examination management and infrastructure development.
‘To appoint a minister in the pro-chancellor post is not correct. It will not help the university in any manner,” said academician Pritish Acharya.
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As a part of reforms in technical education, the State government had passed the bill in the Assembly and sent it for the final approval of the Governor. However, with the Governor returning the bill the government has to table it in the assembly once again.
“If the Governor is not agreeable to the bill then he can return the bill to the assembly with changes needed and suggestions. Then the bill will be discussed in the assembly and will be resent to the governor. Irrespective of whether the changes suggested are accepted or not, the bill sent for the second time, will be binding on the Governor to sign,” said Political Science expert, Amareswar Mishra.