Ranchi, June 26: Governor M.O.H. Farook has decided to form a committee to look for a new vice chancellor of Birsa Agricultural University. The post is currently being held by N.N. Singh whose tenure is scheduled to end on August 17.

According to the Raj Bhavan spokesperson, a four-member committee, which was constituted a couple of days ago, will look for Singh’s successor. The committee comprises the director general of Indian Council of Agriculture Research, the UGC chairman or his nominee, principal secretary to the governor and state agriculture society secretary.

Interestingly, Singh who was appointed as the vice chancellor for three years in May, 2005, was given an extension by the then Governor Syed Sibtey Razi for a period of six months. Singh, who was 65-year-old then, was scheduled for retirement.

Razi, thereafter amended the Jharkhand State Agriculture Universities Act, 2000, and extended the maximum age limit of retirement of a vice chancellor to 68 years. Razi then appointed Singh for a second three-year term.

However, Singh’s stint at the helm has been marred with controversy with the vice chancellor being accused of flouting rules and not taking the state’s permission while finalising various appointments.

The appointments later were found to be done without the state government’s approval.