Bihar Governor addresses delays in state university vacancies; Cites 'good people are hard to find'

Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar discussed the challenges in filling key vacancies in the state's universities, shedding light on the delays in the appointment of vice-chancellors (V-Cs) and other crucial positions. Governor Arlekar, also the ex-officio chancellor of the state universities, expressed the complexity of the process, noting that while six universities have completed the V-C appointment process, the seventh, Patna University, faced delays due to objections raised over the government nominee.

He highlighted the importance of consultation with the Chief Minister and emphasized the difficulty in finding qualified individuals for key roles. Additionally, the governor addressed issues of financial irregularities, proposing an audit of all universities by the Raj Bhavan's audit team, with collaboration from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), to ensure transparency and adherence to norms.

Governor Arlekar acknowledged the backlog in promotions at universities and proposed issuing guidelines for uniformity to avoid favoritism. He also discussed challenges in implementing the new education policy, emphasizing the need for universities to adhere to academic calendars.

Addressing faculty shortages, the governor advocated for a decentralized system for filling vacancies, emphasizing the importance of proactive individuals to drive necessary changes. As Bihar's universities grapple with various issues, Governor Arlekar outlined his efforts to streamline the system, from ensuring consultation in appointments to regulating self-financing courses and promoting transparency through audits.