Chennai: In a major relief to the tamil Nadu government, the supreme court on tuesday set aside the interim stay imposed by the madras high court on the State legislation that empowers the tamil Nadu government to appoint Vice-Chancellors of State universities.

The apex court’s order allows the tamil Nadu government to proceed with the implementation of the law, which seeks to vest the authority of appointing Vice-Chancellors with the elected State government instead of the governor, who traditionally serves as the Chancellor of State universities.

Earlier, the madras high court had stayed the operation of the amended Acts following petitions challenging their constitutional validity. The petitioners had argued that the legislation encroached upon the powers of the governor and violated the established framework governing higher education institutions.

Hearing the matter, the supreme court observed that there was no justification for continuing the interim stay and ruled that the high court could proceed with the final hearing of the petitions without restraining the operation of the law. However, the apex court clarified that its order would not prejudice the merits of the case pending before the High Court.

The tamil Nadu government has consistently maintained that the amendments were introduced to ensure greater accountability, transparency, and democratic oversight in the administration of State-run universities. The State also argued that delays and administrative hurdles in appointing Vice-Chancellors had adversely affected the functioning of higher education institutions.

The supreme Court’s decision is seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate over the respective powers of Governors and State governments in university administration. Political observers note that the ruling could have wider implications for Centre-State relations and higher education governance across the country.

The madras high court is expected to continue hearing the matter and deliver a final verdict on the constitutional validity of the legislation in due course.

 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.