Bengal government distances itself from VC appointments

Updated on: Monday, December 26, 2011

The West Bengal government took the first step in ending political interference in appointments in educational institutions by the passage of the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011,in the Assembly.

The passing of the bill would enable the government to dissociate itself from the process of appointment of vice-chancellors of several universities in the state.

Introducing the bill in the Assembly, state higher education minister Bratya Basu said that amendments were aimed at bringing in transparency in the appointment of VCs and also to free the universities of political interference and to bring excellence in education.

While Leader of the Opposition Suryakanta Mishra and other Opposition members demanded that the bill be recommended to a select committee for a detailed discussion, the government declined to honour their contention.

According to the Bill, VCs would be appointed by a search committee which would nominees of the Chancellor, chairman of UGC and court.

"We have intentionally not kept any nominee of the government", Basu told the assembly.

The new legislation would be applicable to Calcutta University, North Bengal University, Burdwan University, Vidyasagar University, Kalyani University, WB State University, Gour Banga University, Jadavpur University, Rabindra Bharati, Netaji Subhas Open University, BESU, and WBUT.

Clauses of removal of the VCs during their tenure in offices were also there in the legislation.

The previous Left Front government was often accused of interfering in the filling up of vacancies in educational institutions by opposition parties and academics alike.

Bengal government distances itself from VC appointments

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