Patna: During his surprise visit to the Patna University (PU) office on Saturday afternoon to oversee its working, governor-cum-chancellor Arif Mohammed Khan was told by vice-chancellor Ajay Kumar Singh about some of his administrative problems in absence of the pro-vice-chancellor (pro-VC).

The office of the pro-VC in PU, earlier occupied by Singh himself, fell when he joined as the new vice-chancellor of the university about a couple of years back.

PU is not alone in Bihar which has been functioning without any pro-VC for the last several years. In fact, out of a total of 17 state-run universities, only three—Patliputra University (PPU), Magadh University (MU) and Purnia University (PRU)—are having pro-VCs at present. And, even these pro-VCs are likely to complete their three-year-term in office within a month, sources said.

The universities functioning without a pro-VC include BRA Bihar; L N Mithila; B N Mandal; Jai Prakash; Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur, Munger; K S D Sanskrit; Veer Kunwar Singh; Maulana Mazharul Haque Arabic and Persian; Nalanda Open; Bihar Animal Sciences; Aryabhatta Knowledge and Bihar Agricultural varsity.

Notably, the office of pro-VCs in the state universities was created in 1982 following an amendment in the Patna University Act, 1976 and Bihar Universities Act, 1976. The pro-VCs are appointed by the chancellor in consultation with the state govt in the same manner as prescribed for appointment of vice-chancellor for a period not exceeding three years.

Subject to the provisions of the Act, the pro-VC shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed or as may be conferred or imposed on him, from time to time, by the VC. Both the Acts provide that the pro-VC shall be responsible for admission and conduct of the examination up to bachelor course and the publication of the result of the examination conducted by the university up to bachelor course and shall be responsible for students’ welfare.

Raj Bhavan sources said the posts of pro-VCs in all the state-run universities are likely to be advertised soon.