The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir has replaced the Chief Minister as Chancellor of Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University (BGSBU), Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) and Cluster Universities of Jammu and Srinagar.
The development comes in wake of the implementation of theJ&K re-organisation – adaptation of state laws order 2020, issued by Ministryof Home Affairs on March 31.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 96 of theJ&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 (34 of 2019), and of all other powers enablingit in that behalf, the Central Government hereby makes the following order inrespect of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads the order, addingthat the order may be called the J&K Reorganisation (Adaptation of StateLaws) Order, 2020. “It shall come into force with immediate effect,” it reads.
As per the order, the Chief Minister will be replaced byLieutenant Governor (LG) of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in subsection (1) of BGSBU Act.
“In sub-section (1), for Chief Minister, substitute ?Lieutenant Governor of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the BGSBU Act,”reads the order. It further reads that readers or lecturers may be substitutedby associate professors or assistant professors respectively.
Meanwhile, Cluster University of Srinagar and Jammu willreplace the CM by the Lieutenant Governor of J&K as the Chancellor in theUniversity Act, it says.
The order further states that in sub-section (5)- thefive-years term will be substituted by three years.
In Islamic University Of Science and Technology (IUST)Kashmir Act, (Act No. XVIII of 2005) the CM will be substituted by LG ofJ&K in sub-section (1) of the University Act.
“The Vice-Chancellor of a University shall in case he iswhole- time paid officer, receive salary not exceeding the limit prescribed bythe University Council and other facilities as the Chancellor may determine, inaddition to free residential accommodation,” reads the order.
The IUST was promulgated by an Act of J&K StateLegislative Assembly in November 2005 and its Board is the board of directorsof J&K Muslim Wakf Board. The executive council, chaired by ViceChancellor, is the executive authority of the University.
Further, the order states that State should be substitutedby Union territory of J&K in all the University Acts.
Further, the Governor will be also replaced by LieutenantGovernor of J&K UT in the Sher-e-Kashmir University of AgriculturalSciences and Technology (SKUAST) Act, (Act No.VII of 1982).
“Throughout the Act, for ?Governor and State, substituterespectively ?Lieutenant Governor of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmirand ?Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads the order.