Odisha Government Requests Four-Month Extension to Fill Key Higher Education Council Posts
The Odisha government has formally approached the Orissa High Court, seeking a four-month timeframe to finalize the appointment process for crucial vacant positions within the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC). This request comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that brought to light the prolonged vacancies hampering the statutory body's operations.
PIL Highlights Critical Staffing Shortages
The PIL was filed by advocate and human rights activist Prabir Kumar Das. It alleged that the Council has become largely ineffective due to the failure to fill several essential posts. Specifically, the petition pointed out vacancies in the vice chairman's position and 13 out of the 15 member posts, severely impacting the council's advisory capacity.
Government's Affidavit and Action Plan
In an affidavit submitted on March 11, Dharanidhar Nanda, Additional Secretary of the Higher Education Department, informed the court that initial steps have been taken. The government has begun the process to appoint a vice chairperson and a member secretary. The state has requested the court to grant four months to complete this ongoing selection and subsequently submit a compliance report.
"The court may kindly grant four months’ time to enable completion of the ongoing process for filling up the vacant posts of vice chairperson and member secretary," the affidavit stated.
Court Proceedings and Timeline
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman took the government's affidavit on record during a hearing on Wednesday. The court has scheduled the next hearing for March 25. The petitioner has been given time until then to file a rejoinder to the government's response.
Details of the Appointment Process
According to the affidavit, the state government constituted a search committee on February 20, 2026, to recommend suitable candidates for the posts of vice chairperson and member secretary. Following this, an advertisement inviting applications from eligible candidates was published in print media on February 25. The advertisement allowed a 21-day window for the submission of applications, indicating the procedural steps already underway.
Background of the Vacancies
The petition provided a detailed background on the vacancies. The previous vice chairman, Prof Ashok Kumar Das, who joined the Council on January 2, 2018, completed his six-year tenure on January 1, 2024. Although his term was extended, he resigned on August 8, 2024. Subsequently, the state appointed the commissioner-cum-secretary of the department as the in-charge vice chairman.
Furthermore, the petition highlighted that 13 of the Council’s 15 members, originally appointed on February 20, 2019, completed their tenure on February 19, 2025. No new appointments have been made since, leaving the body "truncated" and adversely affecting its day-to-day functioning and decision-making processes.
Government's Explanation for Delays
The government acknowledged in its affidavit that the vacancies could not be filled within the stipulated period—typically six months from the date of vacancy—due to administrative and procedural exigencies. However, it maintained that the appointment process is now being actively and diligently pursued in full compliance with statutory provisions and regulations.
Role and Importance of OSHEC
The Odisha State Higher Education Council plays a pivotal advisory role in the state's education framework. Its responsibilities include:
- Framing higher education policies and reforms
- Developing schemes to enhance educational quality
- Guiding the state government on improving inclusiveness and student outcomes in the higher education sector
The prolonged vacancies have raised concerns about potential delays in policy formulation and implementation, which could impact the overall quality and accessibility of higher education in Odisha.
