PATNA, May 16 -- In a new move, the vice chancellors of the state universities in Bihar have to apply for leave through Samarth portal for approval by the Governor (retired) Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain, who is also the Chancellor of universities. The Lok Bhawan has directed all VCs to submit their applications for any kind of leave only through Samarth portal, which is Union ministry of education's centralised portal being adopted in the state. After returning from duty leave to participate in seminars, conferences, etc., the VCs have to make the relevant Power Point Presentation (PPT), report or other necessary information available through portal, as per the Chancellor's directive. During the Budget session, the Bihar government had announced its plan to bring all the state universities on board Samarth Portal to ensure greater transparency, uniformity and ease to the students. However, it is yet to be fully functional and the first test is the admission process from the new session. However, on the initiative of Bihar Lok Bhavan, the leave related module of VCs has also been included in the 'Samarth Portal'. "This will make the process of leave approval more quick, transparent and easier and there will be no need for formalities related to offline approval," said a Lok Bhawan statement. In 2020, taking serious note of several VCs of the state universities remaining out of headquarters during the lockdown period, the Chancellor's office had sought clarification from them for the unauthorised absence from university without taking leave of absence or permission from the chancellor, as per the provisions. In 2019, Chancellor's office had approved the statute defining the administrative service conditions and facilities applicable to VCs and pro-VCs. The statute, approved by the departments of education and finance also, brought them on par with senior officials of the all India service. The statute also made it clear that for going on foreign tour, VCs or Pro-VCs would require clearance from the State government, while the Chancellor will approve the leave. The need for revision of the old statutes was felt, as I n the past, lack of clarity also led to some unsavoury controversies, as it happened in 2008 when former Patna University VC YC Simhadri was served a show-cause and asked to quit after his foreign visit....