The Vice-Chancellor

(1) The Government shall constitute a search committee consisting of,- (i) a nominee of the Executive Council; (ii) a nominee of the University Grants Commission; and (iii) a nominee of the State Government. The Search Committee shall submit a panel of three persons to the Government in alphabetical order and the Government shall forward the said panel to the Chancellor, who shall appoint the Vice-Chancellor, from out of the said panel on the recommendation of the Government. Provided that it shall be competent for the Government to call for fresh panel if they consider necessary and the Search Committee shall submit a fresh panel to the Government. (2) The Vice-Chancellor shall not be removed from his office except by an order of the Chancellor passed on the ground of willful omission or refusal to carry out the provisions of this Act, or abuse of the powers vested in him and after due enquiry ordered by the Government, by the Lokayukta or by such person who is or has been a Judge of a High Court or the Supreme Court as may be appointed by the Chancellor in which the Vice-Chancellor shall have an opportunity of making his representation against such removal: Provided that where the enquiry is conducted by a person who is or has been a Judge of High Court or the Supreme Court the report of such an enquiry shall be forwarded to the Government and the Chancellor shall act in accordance with the advice tendered by the Government on a consideration of the report while exercising his powers under this sub-section: Provided further that where the Lokayukta enquiries into an allegation against the Vice-Chancellor under the Andhra Pradesh Lokayukta Act, 1983 then, notwithstanding anything contained in section 12 of that Act, the Lokayukta shall submit the report to the Government and the Chancellor shall act in accordance with the advice tendered by the Government on a consideration of the report while exercising his powers under this sub-section. (3) The Vice-Chancellor shall be the academic head and the principal Executive Officer of the University and shall exercise general control over its affairs. He shall be a whole-time officer of the University. (4) Subject to the provisions of sub-clause (2) the Vice-Chancellor shall hold office for a term of three years from the date of his appointment and shall be eligible for reappointment to that office for another term of three years in the manner provided in sub-clause (1). (5) The Vice-Chancellor shall be paid such pay and allowances as may, by order, be specified by the Government from time to time. He shall be provided with a furnished official accommodation for which he shall pay ten percent of his salary towards rent. (6) When the Vice-Chancellor is unable to exercise his powers, perform his functions and discharge his duties owing to absence, illness or any other cause or when the office of Vice-Chancellor is vacant, it shall be competent for the State Government to appoint a person to be incharge Vice-Chancellor. The person so appointed as incharge Vice-Chancellor shall exercise the powers, perform the functions and discharge the duties of the Vice-Chancellor until the Vice-Chancellor assumes the office, or as the case may be, a new Vice-Chancellor is appointed in accordance with sub-clause (1). (7) It shall be competent for the Chancellor to accept the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor. (8) When the post of the Vice-Chancellor falls permanently vacant, either by resignation or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled by the Chancellor by appointing another person as the Vice-Chancellor and the Vice-Chancellor so appointed shall hold office for a full term of three years. (9) The Vice-Chancellor shall, by virtue of his office be a member and Chairman of the Executive Council and of the Academic Senate and shall preside at the convocation of the University in the absence of the Chancellor. (10) He shall be entitled to be present and address at any stage, any meeting of any Authority of the University, but not to vote there at, unless he is a member of the authority concerned. (11) He shall have the power to convene meetings of the Executive Council and the Academic Senate. (12) It shall be his duty to see that the provisions of this Act, the statutes, the Ordinances and regulations are duly observed and he may exercise all powers necessary for this purpose. (13) He shall have power to interpret the provisions of this Act, the statutes, the Ordinances and the regulations. Any person or authority aggrieved may, within such time as may be prescribed by an Ordinances, appeal to the Chancellor: Provided that,- (a) if such interpretation was given at a meeting of the Executive Council, the appeal shall lie to the Chancellor direct; (b) if such interpretation was given otherwise than at a meeting of the Executive Council the appeal shall be forwarded to the Chancellor through the Executive Council. The decision of the Chancellor on the appeal shall be final. (14) He shall give effect to the decision of the authorities of the University taken in accordance with the powers conferred by or under this Act. (15) He shall have such other powers as may be prescribed. (16) (a) When, with regard to any matter in which any officer or authority may take action, the Vice-Chancellor considers immediate action desirable, he may subject to the general control of the Chancellor take such action as may be necessary but shall as soon as may be, report the action taken to the officer or authority concerned. (b) An appeal shall lie to the Executive Council against any action taken by the Vice-Chancellor under clause (a) affecting any person in the service of the University, at the instance of such person. Such appeal shall be filed within thirty days from the day on which such person has notice of the action taken.