Srinagar: Can Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor Prof Talat Ahmad continue to hold the position after having crossed the upper age limit? This question is baffling academicians at the University of Kashmir.
The three-year term of Prof Ahmad ended in August this year. Few months prior to this, Prof Ahmad crossed the age of 65 years and attained superannuation at the University of Delhi, his parent institution.
On December 10, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, in the capacity of being Chancellor of the University, constituted a Search Committee to appoint a new VC for the University of Kashmir, putting speculations to rest that Prof Ahmad may continue till the expiry of previously-fixed term of five years which was reduced to three years under the J&K Reorganization Act.
What’s now surprising the university teachers is the continuation of Prof Talat Ahmad despite crossing the upper age limit of 65 years, which is an established benchmark for VCs of state universities. This maximum limit for VC of a Central University is 70 years despite extensions, if any.
Teachers in know-how of rules and regulations governing appointment of VCs say no head of a university can continue “for even a single day” beyond 65 years.
Citing examples to buttress their argument, they said this month only the Vice-Chancellor of SKUAST Kashmir Prof Nazir Ahmad was appointed for a period of three years or until he attains the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier, according to his appointment order.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Central University of Kashmir Prof Mehraj-ud-Din Mir had to demit office, even after being on extension “till further orders”, when he attained the age of 70 years in October this year.
Documents available with this newspaper reveal that on 7th of this month, former Chairman of University Grants Commission Prof Dharmendra Pal Singh demitted office consequent upon attaining the age of 65 years.

Reader correspondent