Himachal: Raj Bhavan responds on appointment of the acting Vice Chancellor, next hearing on Nov 12

November 4, 2025

The respondent, Raj Bhavan, has filed a reply in the Himachal Pradesh High Court regarding the appointment of the acting Vice Chancellor of the Agricultural University. The court of Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua has scheduled the matter for hearing on November 12th. The petition raises questions about the appointment of the acting Vice Chancellor by ignoring seniority. The university’s lawyer argued that the Act allows the Chancellor to appoint any senior faculty member. The respondent is second in the seniority list, so the Chancellor has not committed any illegality.

The Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly recently passed a bill amending Section 24 of the Act, which now directs the Chancellor, with the aid and advice of the state government, to reconsider the petitioner’s reference and attempt to reconcile the parties in accordance with the law. The petitioner had filed a reference in the Council seeking recovery of ₹2,55,96,949 and interest from the respondent.

In its order dated December 16, 2024, the Council dismissed the petitioner’s reference, stating that it was time-barred. The Council argued that it was akin to a suit filed in a civil court and that the three-year limitation period applies under the Limitation Act, 1963.

The Himachal Pradesh High Court, in its landmark judgment in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act 2006, held that the Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Council cannot dismiss a reference solely on the basis of the limitation period. The court held that the Council’s dismissal of a reference based on the limitation period was unconstitutional. The court set aside the Council’s order dated December 16, 2024, on this basis. However, the Governor has not yet given his assent to the bill, delaying the appointment of permanent Vice-Chancellors in universities.