Medical university former vice-chancellor wants to run for post again

CHENNAI: A former vice-chancellor of Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University has approached the Madras high court seeking direction to the university authorities to include former V-Cs as eligible to participate in ongoing recruitment for the post.

In his petition, Mayilvahanan Natarajan, who served as vice-chancellor of the university for three years, wanted the court to direct the university to consider his application for the current recruitment.

According to the petitioner, the university has prescribed six years of experience in administrative position as eligibility for appointment as the vice-chancellor, besides other educational and teaching experience. The petitioner, though has served as V-C for three years, becomes ineligible to apply for reappointment in view of the rule that a candidate should have held an administrative post at least for six years.

Claiming that the three year experience he holds as a V-C would definitely outweigh six years of experience as a registrar, controller of examinations or principal of a college, Natarajan wanted the university to modify the eligibility criteria and permit him to apply, considering his experience as VC.

“The exclusion of past V-Cs is violative of the university Act. The government order prescribing the six-year eligibility is contrary to the act. Now, only those who fulfil such unreasonable qualifications will be eligible. Former vice-chancellors who possess more experience will be denied of the opportunity,” Natarajan said. Pending disposal of the plea, the petitioner wanted the court to direct the university to withhold the results of the selection process.