SRINAGAR: A fresh controversy has sparked as LG Manoj Sinha unilaterally extended the tenures of the Vice-Chancellors of two major universities in Jammu Kashmir, bypassing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The decision, announced through two separate orders on December 13, 2024, again highlighted the ongoing power struggle between the elected government and the Raj Bhawan.
Professor Nazir Ahmad Ganaie, Vice-Chancellor of the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), has had his term extended by two years, effective from December 16, 2024. Similarly, Professor Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jammu, will continue in his position for three additional years starting April 5, 2025, upon the expiration of his current term. Both extensions were granted under provisions of the respective acts governing these institutions, which give the Lieutenant Governor, in his capacity as Chancellor, significant authority over university appointments.
This move has drawn sharp criticism from Omar Abdullah’s office, which was reportedly not consulted despite the Chief Minister holding the statutory role of Pro-Chancellor for these universities. The controversy has deepened tensions between the newly elected government, which has been in power since October, and the Raj Bhawan, with officials describing the extensions as a breach of protocol and democratic norms.
The issue has broader implications, reflecting the governance challenges in Jammu and Kashmir following its transition to a Union Territory. The Lieutenant Governor, under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, holds sweeping powers, often overshadowing the elected government. This has left the Chief Minister’s office with limited authority, particularly in matters where the Reorganisation Act empowers the Lieutenant Governor to act at his discretion.
Abdullah had recently called for a ban on re-employments, extensions, and attachments in administrative and academic posts to promote streamlined governance. In a meeting held on December 3, he had criticised the culture of extensions, emphasising the need to end such practices. However, the Lieutenant Governor’s latest orders appear to contravene this directive, further straining relations between the two offices.
The controversy over these appointments is not the first instance of conflict. Earlier, disputes arose over the continuation of Advocate General DC Raina, the transfer of senior bureaucrats, and the use of Article 311 to terminate government employees without inquiry. These incidents underscore the growing discord between the elected administration and the Raj Bhawan.
Critics have also pointed to the absence of clearly defined Business Rules, which would delineate the powers of the elected government and the Lieutenant Governor. Despite the formation of a sub-committee headed by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary to draft these rules, progress has been slow. The Congress, an ally of Abdullah’s National Conference providing external support, has urged for swift action, warning that the lack of clarity is detrimental to democratic governance.
The Chief Minister’s office is reportedly particularly concerned about Professor Ganaie’s extension due to complaints pending against him with the General Administration Department. Meanwhile, supporters of the Vice-Chancellors have lauded their contributions to academia, with Professor Rai credited for innovative initiatives such as “Design Your Degree” and Professor Ganaie recognised for advancing agricultural education and fostering innovation.
As the Abdullah government approaches two months in office, the escalating friction with Raj Bhawan raises serious questions about the functioning of the governance framework in Jammu and Kashmir. While both sides claim to act in the best interests of the Union Territory, the ongoing tussle underscores the challenges of reconciling the powers of an elected government with those of an appointed Lieutenant Governor in a region still grappling with its unique administrative and political realities. -(KL)
