Governor gives Karnataka govt. one-month deadline to appoint RDPR varsity Vice-Chancellor

Governor sets deadline for Karnataka government to fill vacant vice-chancellor post at RDPR University in Gadag.

Sending a stern message to the Government of Karnataka, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has set a month’s deadline to invite applications to fill the vacant vice-chancellor’s post at Mahatma Gandhi Rural Development & Panchayat Raj (RDPR) University in Gadag, North Karnataka. He warned that he would start the process himself if the government failed to do so.

The Congress government in Karnataka had in the Belagavi session in December 2024, passed the Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (Amendment) Bill, which seeks to appoint the Chief Minister as the Chancellor and give him the power to choose the Vice-Chancellor from the panel of three names suggested by search committee, taking away the power of the Governor.

Mr. Gehlot had, however, returned the Bill, passed in December 2024, seeking clarifications and corrections regarding the intent of the Bill.

Mr. Gehlot said in his letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah that until the Bill is cleared, the vice-chancellor has to be appointed as per the existing law. He further said Raj Bhavan had sent “numerous follow-ups and reminders” to the RDPR Department on inviting applications to the vacant post, but to no avail. The post has been vacant for 10 months, he pointed out.

The Governor’s letter cited statements by Ministers that the government wanted to actively improve the university’s administration by amending the RDPR University Act, and yet, “it is clearly seen that neither the Minister concerned nor the department has taken active steps for the growth of the university.”

Chastising the concerned department, the government, the Governor said, “The lethargy and indifference shown for the welfare of students is in stark contrast to the glorious mirage shown in the media” despite repeated advise to call for applications.

Mr. Gehlot in the letter has asked Mr. Siddaramaiah to direct the RDPR Department to call applications at the earliest and “not leave room for unnecessary and avoidable complications and in turn affect the growth of universities in Karnataka.”