Faced with severe criticism over vacancies in the post of principal in over 100 government colleges, the State government has said that steps were being taken to fill them up by the end of next month.

Sources in the Higher Education Department said 100 Grade 2 colleges and 25 Grade 1 colleges were functioning without a full-time principal. A dispute over seniority and a subsequent court case had held up proceedings, they said. However, the court had vacated the stay in May, clearing the path for the appointment of principals.

Grade 1 colleges are those that offer at least three postgraduate courses and have a student strength of over 2,000.

The department’s failure to appoint principals over the past two years led to an increase in the number of vacancies and also hit the State exchequer, said S. Suresh, general secretary, Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers’ Association (TNGCTA).

Every principal in-charge gets an allowance that is 20% of their basic pay and dearness allowance combined. “This amounts to an additional burden of about ₹40-50 lakh every month,” he said.

Principals are appointed by considering the State-level seniority of college teachers. They come with about three decades of academic and administrative experience.

“Their experience brings value to the handling of issues pertaining to the management of teachers and students, and financial issues,” Mr. Suresh said.

Over the past two years, several senior teachers missed the opportunity to retire as principals, he said. Although there are no major remunerative benefits associated with the principal’s position (principals of Grade 1 colleges get one increment upon appointment), the post commands a respect that many covet, he added.