Bhubaneswar, March 10: Outgoing governor M.C. Bhandare is likely to choose the new vice-chancellor of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) before his successor takes charge next week.

Impasse over the post continues with contrasting opinions being expressed at the governor’s secretariat regarding the “right man” for the job despite an attempt being made today to sort out the issue. However, sources said a new VC would definitely be appointed before new governor, S.C. Jamir takes charge.

Jamir is likely to reach Bhubaneswar anytime next week. “According to tradition, the incumbent will leave Raj Bhavan one day ahead of the arrival of the new governor. However till he arrives, Bhandare will have all power to take any decision. He has already interviewed the candidates and will finalise a new VC before relinquishing his post,” said an official.

The OUAT VC’s post has been lying vacant for three months now causing serious problems in the day-to-day functioning of the institution. Agriculture secretary Ranglal Jamuda is now functioning as the acting VC of OUAT from the state secretariat.

After D.P. Ray retired on December 17, 2012, following tongue-wagging over a one-month extension granted to him, Bhandare interviewed nine candidates short-listed by the Indian Council Of Research (ICAR) and the state government. The ICAR had sent its list taking into account its own eligibility criteria that are different from UGC guidelines.

Of the nine candidates interviewed, the governor had even asked for confidential character roll of five short listed candidates —S.S. Nanda, Dibakar Nayak, Manoranjan Kar, Ashutosh Samanatray and Bhudadeb Mishra. “The governor will give his assent as soon as Raj Bhavan zeroes in on a name,” said a source.

Sources said the chancellor found it tough to select a candidate since allegations of financial bungling surfaced against a few candidates. However, an official at the chancellor’s office said: “The governor can also pick someone before he hands over the office to his successor. The formalities have been completed and the announcement will be made soon.”