Controversy Erupts Over Appointment of Vice-Chancellor at Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture, High Court Seeks Response

The appointment of Dr. R.R. Saxena as Vice-Chancellor of the Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture and Forestry, Patan (Durg), Chhattisgarh, has become a subject of controversy. The Chhattisgarh High Court has issued notices to the state government and the university administration, demanding a response to questions raised about the appointment process. The court will investigate whether the appointment adhered to legal procedures and was based on merit. The petition was filed by Dr. Avnindra Kumar Singh, who alleges that the appointment process lacked transparency and proper evaluation of qualifications. According to the petition, a panel of eight names was sent to the Governor’s Secretariat from a pool of 38 applicants, without any comparative assessment. Dr. Singh claims that the selection committee did not award marks based on merit, nor was there a comparative analysis of academic qualifications and experience. He asserts that if a fair evaluation had been conducted, his qualifications would have been deemed superior. The Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture and Forestry was established by the Chhattisgarh government through legislation to promote higher education, research, and training in the fields of horticulture and forestry. Initially, IAS Mahadev Kavre was appointed as the acting Vice-Chancellor, followed by the commencement of the regular Vice-Chancellor selection process. During the preliminary hearing, the Chhattisgarh High Court issued notices to the state government and the university administration, seeking a clear response. The court will now examine whether the appointment of Dr. R.R. Saxena followed the required qualifications and procedures. Further hearings are expected soon.