(1) There shall be a Vice-Chancellor who shall be the principal academic and executive officer of the university and ex-officio Chairperson of the Academic Council, Board of Examinations and Evaluation, Board of Research and Innovation, Board of Planning and Development, Board of Students Development and Finance and Accounts Committee. In absence of the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor shall preside at any convocation for conferring degrees. (2) Save as otherwise provided, pay and allowances, terms and conditions of service of the Vice-Chancellor shall be such, as may be determined by the State Government, from time to time. (3) The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Chancellor in the manner stated hereunder :- (a) there shall be a search-cum-selection committee consisting of the following members to recommend suitable names to the Chancellor for appointment of Vice-Chancellor, namely :- (i) a member nominated by the Chancellor, who shall be a person of eminence in the sphere of higher education and shall be either an eminent scholar of national repute or a recipient of Padma Award in the field of education; (ii) the Secretary of Higher and Technical Education Department or any officer not below the rank of Secretary to Government nominated by the State Government; (iii) the Director or Head of an institute or organization of national repute working for preservation and promotion of Marathi language and literature, nominated by the Board of Management and the Academic Council, jointly; (iv) a member nominated by the Chairman, University Grants Commission. (b) The member nominated by the Chancellor under sub-clause (i) of clause (a) shall be the Chairman of the committee. (c) The members nominated on the committee shall be persons who are not connected in any manner with the university. (d) No meeting of the committee shall be held unless all the members of the committee are present. (e) The committee shall recommend a panel of not less than five suitable persons for the consideration of the Chancellor for being appointed as the Vice-Chancellor. The names of the persons so recommended shall be in alphabetical order without any preference being indicated. The committee shall prepare a report accompanied by a detailed write-up on suitability of each person included in the panel and submit the same to the Chancellor. (f) A person recommended by the committee for appointment as Vice-Chancellor shall,- (i) be a person possessing highest level of competence, integrity, morals and institutional commitment; (ii) be a distinguished academician, in the field of Marathi language and literature with a minimum ten years' of experience as a professor in university or ten years of experience in a reputed research or academic administrative organization in the field of Marathi language and literature, with proof of having demonstrated academic leadership; (iii) be able to provide leadership by his own example; (iv) be able to provide vision; and have ability to translate the same into reality in the interest of students and society; (v) possess such additional educational qualifications and experience, as may be specified by the State Government, by an order published in the Official Gazette, in consultation with the Chancellor: Provided that, the educational qualifications and experience shall be in consonance with the norms prescribed by the University Grants Commission or any other regulatory authority, as the case may be; (g) The eligibility conditions and the process for recommendation of names for appointment as Vice-Chancellor shall be given wide publicity to ensure the recommendation of most suitable candidates. (4) The Chancellor may appoint one of the person, included in the panel recommended by the committee to be the Vice-Chancellor: Provided that, if a person selected by the Chancellor does not take over the charge of the post of the Vice-Chancellor, the Chancellor may select another suitable person from the remaining persons from the panel or he may call for a fresh panel either from the same committee or after constitution of a new committee for the purpose, from such new committee: Provided further that, if the Chancellor does not approve any of the persons so recommended, he may call for a fresh panel either from the same committee or after constitution of a new committee for the purpose, from such new committee. (5) The process of preparing the panel of the suitable persons for being appointed as the Vice-Chancellor, shall begin at least six months before the probable date of occurrence of the vacancy of the Vice-Chancellor, and the process of appointment of the Vice-Chancellor shall be completed at least one month before the probable date of occurrence of the vacancy of the Vice-Chancellor. (6) The Registrar shall initiate the process with the approval of the Chairperson of the Board of Management in consultation with the Chancellor's office. (7) The person appointed as the Vice-Chancellor shall, subject to the terms and conditions of contract of service, hold office for a period of five years from the date on which he takes charge of his office or till he attains the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier and he shall not be eligible for re-appointment. (8) The person appointed as the Vice-Chancellor shall hold a lien, if any, on the substantive post held by him prior to the appointment. (9) In any of the following circumstances, the exigency whereof shall solely be judged by the Chancellor, namely :- (i) where the committee appointed under clause (a) of sub-section (3) is unable to recommend any name within the time limit specified by the Chancellor; (ii) where the vacancy occurs in the office of the Vice-Chancellor because of death, resignation or otherwise, and it cannot be conveniently and expeditiously filled in, in accordance with the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4); (iii) where the vacancy in the office of the Vice-Chancellor occurs temporarily because of leave, illness or other causes; or (iv) where there is any other emergency, the Chancellor may appoint any suitable person not below the rank of Professor, to act as the Vice-Chancellor for a term not exceeding six months, in the aggregate, as may be specified in his order: Provided that, the person so appointed shall cease to hold such office on the date on which the person appointed as the Vice-Chancellor in accordance with the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4), assumes office or the Vice-Chancellor resumes office. (10) The Vice-Chancellor shall be a full-time salaried officer of the university and shall receive pay and allowances, and other facilities, as may be determined by the State Government. In addition, he shall be entitled to free furnished residence, a motor car including its maintenance and repairs and fuel required therefor, with the service of a chauffeur, free of charge. (11) If a person receiving an honorarium from the Consolidated Fund of the State, or a university teacher is appointed as Vice-Chancellor, his terms and conditions of service shall not be altered to his disadvantage during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor. (12) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing sub-sections, the person referred to in sub-section (8) shall stand retired from his original post in accordance with the terms and conditions of service of that post. (13) The Vice-Chancellor may, by writing under his signature addressed to the Chancellor, after giving one month's notice resign from his office and shall cease to hold his office on the acceptance of his resignation by the Chancellor or from the date of expiry of the said notice period, whichever is earlier. (14) The Vice-Chancellor may be removed from his office if the Chancellor is satisfied that the incumbent,- (a) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or (b) has been convicted by a court for any offence involving moral turpitude; or (c) has become an un-discharged insolvent and stands so declared by a competent court; or (d) has been physically unfit and incapable of discharging functions due to protracted illness or physical disability; or (e) has willfully omitted or refused to carry out the provisions of this Act or has committed breach of any of the terms and conditions of the service or any other conditions, prescribed by the State Government under sub-section (2), or has abused the powers vested in him or if the continuance of the Vice-Chancellor in the office is detrimental to the interests of the university; or (f) is a member of, or is otherwise associated with, any political party, any organization which takes part in politics, or is taking part in, or subscribing in aid of, any political movement or activity. Explanation.- For the purposes of this sub-clause, whether any party is a political party, or whether any organization takes part in politics or whether any movement or activity falls within the scope of this sub-clause, the decision of the Chancellor thereon shall be final: Provided that, the Vice-Chancellor shall be given a reasonable opportunity to show cause by the Chancellor before taking recourse for his removal under sub-clauses (d), (e) and (f).
<span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>1</i>) There shall be a Vice-Chancellor who shall be the principal academic and executive officer of the university and <i>ex-officio</i> Chairperson of the Academic Council, Board of Examinations and Evaluation, Board of Research and Innovation, Board of Planning and Development, Board of Students Development and Finance and Accounts Committee. In absence of the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor shall preside at any convocation for conferring degrees. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>2</i>) Save as otherwise provided, pay and allowances, terms and conditions of service of the Vice-Chancellor shall be such, as may be determined by the State Government, from time to time. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>3</i>) The Vice-Chancellor shall be appointed by the Chancellor in the manner stated hereunder :-<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>a</i>) there shall be a search-<i>cum</i>-selection committee consisting of the following members to recommend suitable names to the Chancellor for appointment of Vice-Chancellor, namely :-<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><i>(i)</i> a member nominated by the Chancellor, who shall be a person of eminence in the sphere of higher education and shall be either an eminent scholar of national repute or a recipient of Padma Award in the field of education;<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>ii</i>) the Secretary of Higher and Technical Education Department or any officer not below the rank of Secretary to Government nominated by the State Government;<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>iii</i>) the Director or Head of an institute or organization of national repute working for preservation and promotion of Marathi language and literature, nominated by the Board of Management and the Academic Council, jointly; <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>iv</i>) a member nominated by the Chairman, University Grants Commission. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><i>(b)</i> The member nominated by the Chancellor under sub-clause <i>(i)</i> of clause (<i>a</i>) shall be the Chairman of the committee. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>c</i>) The members nominated on the committee shall be persons who are not connected in any manner with the university. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>d</i>) No meeting of the committee shall be held unless all the members of the committee are present. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>e</i>) The committee shall recommend a panel of not less than five suitable persons for the consideration of the Chancellor for being appointed as the Vice-Chancellor. The names of the persons so recommended shall be in alphabetical order without any preference being indicated. The committee shall prepare a report accompanied by a detailed write-up on suitability of each person included in the panel and submit the same to the Chancellor. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>f</i>) A person recommended by the committee for appointment as Vice-Chancellor shall,-<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><i>(i)</i> be a person possessing highest level of competence, integrity, morals and institutional commitment; <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>ii</i>) be a distinguished academician, in the field of Marathi language and literature with a minimum ten years' of experience as a professor in university or ten years of experience in a reputed research or academic administrative organization in the field of Marathi language and literature, with proof of having demonstrated academic leadership;<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>iii</i>) be able to provide leadership by his own example; <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>iv</i>) be able to provide vision; and have ability to translate the same into reality in the interest of students and society; <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>v</i>) possess such additional educational qualifications and experience, as may be specified by the State Government, by an order published in the <i>Official Gazette</i>, in consultation with the Chancellor: <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>Provided that, the educational qualifications and experience shall be in consonance with the norms prescribed by the University Grants Commission or any other regulatory authority, as the case may be; <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>g</i>) The eligibility conditions and the process for recommendation of names for appointment as Vice-Chancellor shall be given wide publicity to ensure the recommendation of most suitable candidates.<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>4</i>) The Chancellor may appoint one of the person, included in the panel recommended by the committee to be the Vice-Chancellor: <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>Provided that, if a person selected by the Chancellor does not take over the charge of the post of the Vice-Chancellor, the Chancellor may select another suitable person from the remaining persons from the panel or he may call for a fresh panel either from the same committee or after constitution of a new committee for the purpose, from such new committee: <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>Provided further that, if the Chancellor does not approve any of the persons so recommended, he may call for a fresh panel either from the same committee or after constitution of a new committee for the purpose, from such new committee. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>5</i>) The process of preparing the panel of the suitable persons for being appointed as the Vice-Chancellor, shall begin at least six months before the probable date of occurrence of the vacancy of the Vice-Chancellor, and the process of appointment of the Vice-Chancellor shall be completed at least one month before the probable date of occurrence of the vacancy of the Vice-Chancellor. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>6</i>) The Registrar shall initiate the process with the approval of the Chairperson of the Board of Management in consultation with the Chancellor's office. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>7</i>) The person appointed as the Vice-Chancellor shall, subject to the terms and conditions of contract of service, hold office for a period of five years from the date on which he takes charge of his office or till he attains the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier and he shall not be eligible for re-appointment. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>8</i>) The person appointed as the Vice-Chancellor shall hold a lien, if any, on the substantive post held by him prior to the appointment. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>9</i>) In any of the following circumstances, the exigency whereof shall solely be judged by the Chancellor, namely :-<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><i>(i)</i> where the committee appointed under clause (<i>a</i>) of sub-section (<i>3</i>) is unable to recommend any name within the time limit specified by the Chancellor;<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>ii</i>) where the vacancy occurs in the office of the Vice-Chancellor because of death, resignation or otherwise, and it cannot be conveniently and expeditiously filled in, in accordance with the provisions of sub-sections (<i>3</i>) and (<i>4</i>); <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>iii</i>) where the vacancy in the office of the Vice-Chancellor occurs temporarily because of leave, illness or other causes; or <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>iv</i>) where there is any other emergency, the Chancellor may appoint any suitable person not below the rank of Professor, to act as the Vice-Chancellor for a term not exceeding six months, in the aggregate, as may be specified in his order: <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>Provided that, the person so appointed shall cease to hold such office on the date on which the person appointed as the Vice-Chancellor in accordance with the provisions of sub-sections (<i>3</i>) and (<i>4</i>), assumes office or the Vice-Chancellor resumes office. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>10</i>) The Vice-Chancellor shall be a full-time salaried officer of the university and shall receive pay and allowances, and other facilities, as may be determined by the State Government. In addition, he shall be entitled to free furnished residence, a motor car including its maintenance and repairs and fuel required therefor, with the service of a chauffeur, free of charge.<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>11</i>) If a person receiving an honorarium from the Consolidated Fund of the State, or a university teacher is appointed as Vice-Chancellor, his terms and conditions of service shall not be altered to his disadvantage during his tenure as Vice-Chancellor. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>12</i>) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing sub-sections, the person referred to in sub-section (<i>8</i>) shall stand retired from his original post in accordance with the terms and conditions of service of that post. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>13</i>) The Vice-Chancellor may, by writing under his signature addressed to the Chancellor, after giving one month's notice resign from his office and shall cease to hold his office on the acceptance of his resignation by the Chancellor or from the date of expiry of the said notice period, whichever is earlier. <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>14</i>) The Vice-Chancellor may be removed from his office if the Chancellor is satisfied that the incumbent,-<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>a</i>) is of unsound mind and stands so declared by a competent court; or <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><i>(b)</i> has been convicted by a court for any offence involving moral turpitude; or <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>c</i>) has become an un-discharged insolvent and stands so declared by a competent court; or <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>d</i>) has been physically unfit and incapable of discharging functions due to protracted illness or physical disability; or <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>e</i>) has willfully omitted or refused to carry out the provisions of this Act or has committed breach of any of the terms and conditions of the service or any other conditions, prescribed by the State Government under sub-section (<i>2</i>), or has abused the powers vested in him or if the continuance of the Vice-Chancellor in the office is detrimental to the interests of the university; or <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>(<i>f</i>) is a member of, or is otherwise associated with, any political party, any organization which takes part in politics, or is taking part in, or subscribing in aid of, any political movement or activity.<br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><span style="margin-left:15px;"></span><i>Explanation</i>.- For the purposes of this sub-clause, whether any party is a political party, or whether any organization takes part in politics or whether any movement or activity falls within the scope of this sub-clause, the decision of the Chancellor thereon shall be final: <br> <span style="margin-left:15px;"></span>Provided that, the Vice-Chancellor shall be given a reasonable opportunity to show cause by the Chancellor before taking recourse for his removal under sub-clauses (<i>d</i>), (<i>e</i>) and (<i>f</i>). <br>