M A I L B A G

VCs: how fair is the method of selection?

In Haryana, there is no criterion for the selection of Vice-Chancellors of universities (“Four Haryana VCs told to quit”, April 5). As a result, academics are worried about the calibre and expertise of the new successors to the four VCs who have resigned. Rules do provide for the appointment of VCs by the Chancellor on the advice of the government through a search committee. But how credible and fair is this method of selection? This method is also silent about the qualifications of a VC.

As inefficient and unworthy people are appointed as VCs, the universities have become hotbeds of corruption, financial scandals, favouritism, nepotism, intrigue, groupism and so on. If politicians, IAS officers, retired military officials are appointed as VCs, they will defeat the very purpose of a university.

To facilitate the smooth process of selection of a VC, a high-power committee should advice the government in the final stage. This panel should consist of the High Court Chief Justice, UGC member, eminent scientists and scholars. Conclusively, aspirants for VC’s post should meet all the requirements laid down by the UGC’s Fifth Pay Commission.

Dr S.P. GUPTA, Professor of Physics, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra

II

During his tenure as Union Education Minister, the late M.C. Chagla regretted the inclusion of education in the State List. Evidently, he deplored the method of appointment of vice-chancellors.

Sadly, we have many ignorant and incompetent men as VCs in most universities. No wonder, universities do not produce the kind of fervour that could trigger an academic revolution. An immediate reform could be to de-emphasise administration and decentralise it to the point where it will be seen as serving the needs of teaching and learning.

Prof UMESH KUMAR, Faridabad

III

Every change, mid-term or full term, of a Vice-Chancellor may or may not bring any academic improvement. However, it certainly brings chaos. Rather it adds to the existing chaos. New quarrel groups and lobbies are formed that aim at change in everything, from governing committees to the board of studies et al. Poor and almost forgotten academic interests remain as ignored as ever.

Unless our universities are allowed to be led by skilled professionals of 
high intellect, instead of political pawns, Indian universities would soon lose both their credibility and the sheen that once used to be associated with them. The day is not far off when none would be ready to head a defunct, both academically and financially, university.

BALVINDER, Chandigarh

Accident-prone road The stretch from Zirakpur to Kalka is becoming more and more risky for commuters. Though accidents occur frequently in this stretch, no steps have been taken to check them. Meanwhile, the volume of traffic has been increasing on this road every day. Special dangerous zones are the ‘T’ junctions at Pinjore, Surajpur, Purana Panchkula Chowk and roads leading from Sectors 2, 3, 4, 12, 12 A, 20 and 21 of Panchkula. All these junctions are in urgent need of traffic lights to regulate traffic and check overspeeding.  Four-laning has not yet started. The authorities concerned should immediately take measures to save the lives of innocent people. Dr PAWAN DVIWEDI, Panchkula

No bank holiday

For the last two-three years most important holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act have been cancelled. Recently, on the occasion of Holi, the Punjab government declared holiday in its offices but not for banks in the state.

However, its neighbouring states and Chandigarh UT declared holiday on account of Holi under the NI Act. There was no holiday for Shivaratri, Mahavir Jayanti, etc.

The step-motherly treatment meted out to bank employees in Punjab by the state government is sad. The employees’ unions should fight this attitude tooth and nail.

PUNEET MEHTA, Patiala

Job security a must

Uttaranchal Governor Sudarshan Agarwal recently said at a seminar in Chandigarh that job security for public servants was harmful (April 1). The policy of “hire and fire” resorted to by private companies cannot be applied for public service.

It will not be possible to attract talented persons to government jobs unless there is security of service as provided under Article 311 of our Constitution. Despite this provision, the bureaucrats are being exploited and victimised.

The harassed public servants knock the doors of the court for justice.

To remove corruption from among the public servants and the politicians, the youth should be taught moral and ethical values of our ancient culture. The spirit of “Tapasya and Sewa” (renunciation and service), propounded by Swami Vivekananda should be inculcated in them.

G.R. KALRA, Chandigarh