High Court Steps In: Scrutiny of Vice-Chancellor Appointment at Chhattisgarh Horticulture University

The appointment of Dr. R.R. Saxena as Vice-Chancellor at the Mahatma Gandhi University of Horticulture and Forestry, Patan (Durg) in Chhattisgarh, is under scrutiny. The Chhattisgarh High Court has taken cognizance of the situation, issuing notices to the state government and university administration. The court’s primary concern is to ascertain whether the appointment process adhered to the prescribed legal standards and merit. Dr. Avnindra Kumar Singh has filed a petition raising concerns about the selection process. He alleges that the process was not transparent and did not accurately assess the qualifications of the candidates. The petition claims that from a pool of 38 applicants, a panel of 8 names was sent to the Governor’s Secretariat without any comparative evaluation. Dr. Singh further alleges that the selection committee did not assign marks based on merit and there was no comparative analysis of academic qualifications and experience. He argues that a fair assessment would have highlighted his superior qualifications. The university, established by the Chhattisgarh government, aims to promote higher education, research, and training in the fields of horticulture and forestry. IAS Mahadev Kavre served as the acting Vice-Chancellor before the formal selection process commenced. The High Court, during the preliminary hearing, has issued notices, seeking a clear response from the state government and university officials. The court will now examine the appointment of Dr. R.R. Saxena and ensure it met the required qualifications and procedural guidelines. The case is expected to proceed with further hearings soon.