Top posts in institutes lying vacant as govt mulls names

On July 13, 2012, Bipan Chandra was given a farewell as chairman of the National Book Trust. Three days later, he was back in the post. The eminent historian was asked to continue for some more time as the search-cum-selection committee had not been able to find a successor.

The NBT isn't the only institute to be currently looking for a head. As the UPA government's indecisiveness extends to academic and cultural institutes, top positions in several premier ones have been lying vacant for months, with the authorities often calling into question the entire process of selection.

Prof Chandra was appointed NBT chairman for the first time in 2004 for a three-year term. In 2007, a search committee was set up to find a successor. After mulling on the matter for over a year, no name was found and the HRD ministry asked Chandra to continue until further orders. In 2009, the 84-year-old was re-appointed to the post — a term he completed in July 2012. A search committee set up as late as June 2012 is again yet to submit recommendations.

According to the HRD Ministry, the appointments process is on and the search committee will be meeting later this month.

Over at the University Grants Commission, the post of chairman has been lying vacant since Prof S K Thorat completed his term in February 2011. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister had returned the two names shortlisted by the search cum selection panel — Prof Pankaj Chandra, Director, IIM Bangalore, and Prof Seyed Hasnain, former vice-chancellor, Hyderabad University. The search committee has now been asked to recommend more candidates.

The hectic lobbying by a candidate for the UGC top job, MPs writing letters in his support and the PMO overturning the candidates approved by the HRD Ministry have not just undermined the ministry but also cast a doubt over the rigour followed by the search panel and called into question the merit of the shortlisted candidates.

... contd.

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