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 the J&K re-organisation – adaptation of state laws order 2020, issued by Ministry of Home Affairs on March 31. “In exercise of the powers conferred by section 96 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019 (34 of 2019), and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Central Government hereby makes the following order in respect of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads the order, adding that the order may be called the J&K Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Order, 2020. “It shall come into force with immediate effect,” it reads. As per the order, the Chief Minister will be replaced by Lieutenant Governor (LG) of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir in sub section (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 substituted by associate professors or assistant professors respectively. Meanwhile, Cluster University of Srinagar and Jammu will replace the CM by the Lieutenant Governor of J&K as the Chancellor in the University Act, it says. The order further states that in sub-section (5)- the five-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 of J&K in sub-section (1) of the University Act. “The Vice-Chancellor of a University shall in case he is whole- time paid officer, receive salary not exceeding the limit prescribed by the University Council and other facilities as the Chancellor may determine, in addition to free residential accommodation,” reads the order. The IUST was promulgated by an Act of J&K State Legislative Assembly in November 2005 and its Board is the board of directors of J&K Muslim Wakf Board. The executive council, chaired by Vice Chancellor, is the executive authority of the University. Further, the order states that State should be substituted by Union territory of J&K in all the University Acts. Further, the Governor will be also replaced by Lieutenant Governor of J&K UT in the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Act, (Act No.VII of 1982). “Throughout the Act, for ?Governor and State, substitute respectively ?Lieutenant Governor of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and ?Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” reads the order.
