Shimla, Aug. 14 -- The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Thursday stayed the operation of recruitment notices issued last month for the appointment of Vice Chancellors in two state agriculture universities, observing that the eligibility criteria may have unfairly excluded faculty members holding posts equivalent to Professor.

Justice Sandeep Sharma passed the interim order while hearing a petition filed by Ajaydeep Bindra, Principal (Scientist) at Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, and another petitioner, Principal (Horticulturist) at Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni.

Both argued that despite being equivalent in rank to Professors -- as per a 2014 office order -- they were ...