State Secretary of Uttarakhand CPI(ML) Indresh Maikhuri raised questions on Uttarakhand Open University
It is against the law to issue an order to the Vice-Chancellor of Uttarakhand Open University Prof. OPS Negi to continue in office for the full term of three years even after completing the age limit of 65 years. The age limit of the Vice Chancellor cannot be increased through an order. At present, the age limit of the person appointed to the post of Vice-Chancellor is 65 years in the state.
On July 20, 2022, when Prof. OPS Negi was re-appointed to the post of Vice-Chancellor of Uttarakhand Open University, it was written in his appointment letter that three years or till he completes the age of superannuation, whichever is earlier. Now that Prof. OPS Negi has completed his superannuation age, the order for him to continue in the post for three years has been issued by the Uttarakhand Raj Bhavan. The surprising thing is that in order to issue the said order, the Raj Bhavan itself canceled its earlier order.
The Government of Uttarakhand should make it clear that what is its compulsion that it wants to keep Prof. OPS Negi on the post of Vice Chancellor even after attaining the age of retirement. If the maximum age limit of Vice-Chancellors in Uttarakhand is 65 years, then why is the Government of Uttarakhand determined to illegally break this rule for Prof. OPS Negi?
Prof. OPS Negi’s first tenure as the Vice Chancellor of Uttarakhand Open University was highly controversial. During that tenure, many cases including scams in appointments including economic corruption came to the fore. Regarding some appointments, the then Governor even said that the appointments were made without his knowledge and the audit department of the state government also caught corruption in the appointments. Despite this, he was appointed Vice-Chancellor for the second time and now defying all the rules and regulations, an order has been issued to remain in the post for three years.
This is open corruption, violation of rules and regulations, illegal. There is also a violation of the established statutory procedure. Therefore, this order should be canceled immediately.
