Chief Minister calls on Governor, raises slew of issues

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at Raj Bhavan on Sunday.

The meeting, which lasted an hour, came at a time when the State’s higher education sector has been witnessing deep administrative turbulence.

A range of pressing issues, primarily centred on the ongoing crisis involving various State universities, including Kerala University, which remains embroiled in a prolonged administrative standoff, are learnt to have figured in the discussions.

Mr. Vijayan also reportedly handed over a panel of nominees for the appointment of interim Vice-Chancellor at the Digital University Kerala. He also urged the Governor to expedite the appointment of an interim Vice-Chancellor for APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University.

The meeting also saw discussions on several pending Bills, including the Private Universities Bill, which at present awaits the Governor’s assent.

The meeting marks the first formal interaction between the Chief Minister and the Governor since the ‘Bharat Mata’ controversy flared up. The row led to tensions at Kerala University and the suspension of Registrar K.S. Anil Kumar by Vice-Chancellor in-charge Mohanan Kunnummal. However, there is no official word yet on whether the issue was raised during the conversation.

The Chief Minister is also said to have extended an invitation to the Governor and his family to attend the official Onam celebrations hosted by the government.

The Governor is understood to have assured the Chief Minister of his full cooperation in facilitating the government’s administrative initiatives.

Law and Industries Minister P. Rajeeve, who spoke to mediapersons, said there was nothing unusual about the meeting, which is an essential component of the democratic governance system.

“Under such a framework, both the government and the Governor are entrusted with undertaking their assigned duties. Constant interactions are necessary to ensure smooth coordination,” the Minister said.

Higher Education Minister R. Bindu recently indicated that the government had commenced efforts to restore normalcy in the functioning of universities by ironing out differences.