"Bill should not be against law, I am not important": Kerala Gov

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Days after the Kerala Assembly passed the bill to replace the Governor from the post of chancellor, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said that the bill should not be against the law.

Earlier on December 13, the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday passed the University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022 to replace the Governor from the post of chancellor in the universities in the State.

"What needs to be checked is if the bill is against the law or not, if it is against me that is not important. I agree with whatever the constitution says," said Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan.

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said that he would be guided by the law and that his feelings were not important. "My feelings are not important, I'll be guided only by the law. Any appointment where the selection panel has the presence of a non-academic will become void, any appointment where one single name is recommended by a selection panel, will become void," said Arif Mohammed Khan.

Kerala Law Minister P Rajeev on December 7 introduced an amendment in the assembly where the chancellor can be decided by a three-member committee which includes the Chief Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Speaker.

According to the amendment bill introduced in the assembly, "the government shall appoint an academician of high repute or a person of eminence in any of the field of science including agriculture and veterinary science, technology, medicine, social science, humanities, literature, art, culture, law or public administration as the chancellor of the university."

Chancellor is appointed for a period of five years and the person appointed as chancellor shall be eligible for reappointment for one or more terms.

The chancellor may resign his office by an intimation in writing to the government. The bill has been sent for the consideration of the subject committee