Khan defends VC appointments

T'puram: Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, on Thursday, defended his decision to appoint two candidates of his choice as the interim vice-chancellors of Kerala Digital Sciences University and KTU saying that he was only discharging his duty as chancellor. Khan appointed former KTU VC Ciza Thomas and Cusat professor K Sivaprasad as VCs, rejecting the names recommended by the state govt."Please read the rules. I did my duty according to the rules vested with the chancellor," Khan told reporters. Khan said he was not bothered by higher education minister R Bindu's criticism and said everyone can express their views. "I made the appointments based on the latest directive from the judiciary," he said.Govt and CPM termed the appointments as unacceptable and against the law. The govt had recently faced a setback from the SC when it filed an appeal against the HC order that nixed its move to take disciplinary action against Thomas for taking charge as KTU VC against the govt's wishes.Meanwhile, Thomas and Sivaprasad assumed office on Thursday. Though Thomas did not face any protest at Digital University, Left unions of teachers and administrative staff protested against Sivaprasad. tnn