Governor D Y Patil,who took over in March,is keen that Bihar opens 10 medical and 20 engineering colleges utilising its existing infrastructure. Patil,a well-known educationist in Maharashtra,is also all praises for CM Nitish Kumar. He spoke to SANTOSH SINGH. What is your first impression of Bihar? I came to Bihar for the first time as its Governor. Bihar is a rich state as a large number of parents here are able to send their children to pursue professional courses in other states and even in foreign countries. What is your take on the higher education scenario? I had a detailed discussion with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on a range of measures that can boost higher education. We have discussed if the state government can open 10 medical and 20 engineering colleges using its present infrastructure. Another round of talks can give the proposal a formal shape. How do you plan to avoid confrontation with the government over appointments of vice-chancellors and pro-VCs? Ego is the root cause of all problems. We have to work in tandem to find right candidates. I appointed two VCs; I did not even meet them. It is about finding the right criteria to find the right people. I have also asked the state government to take care of transfers. Raj Bhavan does not need to do such things. Are you in favour of putting in place a search committee to appoint VCs,pro-VCs and registrars a practice not followed by Bihar? I am in favour of the Maharashtra model of a five-member search committee that has a member from the government as well. The governor is usually seen as the Centres representative who can keep a hostile state government under check. There is no scope for hostility between the Centre and the state. Raj Bhavan is working for the progress of the state. I have a definite plan for Bihar. The government plans to revert to state public service commission from the UGC-approved system of seven-member panel to appoint university teachers. I welcome it. Dont you see it a bid to wrest powers from Raj Bhavan? No. So long as ones intention and conscience is clear and honest,any system can work. How do you plan to fill 60 per cent vacancy of teachers,pending since 2003? We will soon form a committee. I want the government to make education free for BPL candidates. These candidates and some other talented ones can be nurtured to become teachers. The state government should relax norms to run two-three courses from the same institution building. How do you rate Nitish Kumar as the Chief Minister on a scale of 10? I give him 10 out of 10. He listens very carefully and patiently and has an urge to do something for Bihar.
