Mysuru: Even as University of Mysore in-charge vice-chanellor Dayananda Mane and registrar R Rajanna are accusing each other of misconduct, the state government is moving in to put an end to it by appointing a new vice-chancellor.The search panel constituted to select one of the three professors for the job is likely to meet in the first week of May. Though the panel was constituted three months ago and recast 50 days ago, it has not met once, leading to criticism among the academic circles. Now that the university is at the centre of a raging controversy, which has potential to split the student community, the government is moving in to fix the problem.The panel, headed by former VC H P Kincha, is likely to meet in the first week of May, sources stated. It is expected complete its assignment in one sitting and submit the list to the government.The members of the panel are professor H M Maheshwaraiah, who is VC of the Central University (Kalaburagi), V S Chauhan, who is a member of UGC, and Hari Gautham, who is former chief of UGC. While Kincha is the nominee of the state government, Chauhan is the UGC representative, and Hari Gautham is the nominee of University of Mysore, and Maheshwaraiah is the governor's nominee."Though there were plans to hold the panel meeting in New Delhi as two of the panel members are based in the national capital, it is unlikely as UoM and the government have to carry and provide documents related to professors who have applied for the job," sources stated. There are other logistical issues too. There are instances when the shortlisted applicants were interviewed for the job, they pointed out.When Rameshwar Thakur was the governor, the state was under President's rule in 2007. The shortlisted candidates were interviewed then, and this had led to a controversy as there are no provisions to conduct interview as per the norms of Karnataka State Universities Act (2000).Some 150 applications have been received by the panel for the job. The post has been lying vacant since January 10, when incumbent VC K S Rangappa demitted office after his four-year term. While the search panel was appointed within days after Rangappa's retirement, it has not met even once. Part of the delay was due to the appointment of former VC M Muniyamma as she had worked as a professor in University of Mysore. Her appointment too had led to a controversy as the panel should not have a member who has any association with the university. Governor Vajubai Vala, who had nominated her as his representative, replaced her in early March and appointed Maheshwaraiah.With the recasting of the panel, it was expected that the process will gain momentum, but it has not. The government is being blamed for the same as it allegedly did not take the initiative to convene the meeting of the committee. A member of the panel indicated to TOI that the lack of efforts by the higher education department has delayed the meeting. "It is the government which should set the ball rolling," the member, who did not want to be named, stated.After Rangappa demitted the office, Yeshwanth Dongre served as the in-charge VC for six weeks. Since February 20, Mane is officiating as the VC.

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