Amid VC row, Himachal governor asks if state govt wants to bypass everybody

shimla: amid the ongoing tussle between the himachal pradesh government and the raj bhavan over the appointment of vice-chancellors to two universities, governor shiv pratap shukla on wednesday questioned whether the state government wanted to function “as per the constitution or bypass everybody.”speaking to reporters after flagging off two vehicles carrying relief material for disaster-hit families in kullu and chamba districts, shukla said, “the state government should be asked whether it wants to work according to the law and the constitution or wishes to bypass everybody. if it wants to bypass everybody, i have nothing to say.”he clarified that his role extended beyond vc appointments, saying, “i am not here just for the appointment of vcs but to ensure the welfare of the people.”a dispute has persisted between the congress-led state government and the raj bhavan over the appointment of vcs at cks agriculture university, palampur, and dr ys parmar university of horticulture and forestry, solan.inaugust, the assembly re-passed the himachal pradesh universities of agriculture, horticulture and forestry (amendment) bill, 2023, maintaining that the elected government should have a role in vc appointments. the governor had earlier recommended aligning the bill with the centre's model act, under which the chancellor appoints vcs based on a selection committee's recommendations.later, shukla sent a relief consignment through the state red cross society, including kitchen sets, tarpaulins, blankets, shelter tool kits, and other essentials for disaster-affected families. he praised the society's humanitarian work and assured continued support.