Bengal Cabinet Gives Nod To Introduce Bill To Make CM Chancellor Of State-Run Varsities

West Bengal cabinet on Thursday gave its nod to introduce a bill to make the chief minister chancellor of state-run varsities.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee (File photo: AFP)

New Delhi: The West Bengal cabinet gave its nod to introduce a bill to make the chief minister chancellor of state-run varsities, state Education Minister Bratya Basu said on Thursday. He said that the state cabinet gave its nod to the proposal during the day.

Bengal cabinet gives nod to introduce bill to make CM as chancellor of state-run varsities: Edu min

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"Today, the state cabinet gave its consent to the proposal to make the chief minister the chancellor of all state-run universities in place of the governor. This proposal will soon be introduced as a bill in the assembly," Basu said.

A few days ago, there were reports of tug of war in Bengal regarding the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor in universities. Recently Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar was accused of appointing many Vice-Chancellors without the consent of the state government.

Earlier, to reduce the powers of the Governor, the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a Bill empowering the state government to appoint Vice-Chancellors to 13 universities in the state.

“During the past four years, there has been a trend in which the Governor, without consulting the State government, is functioning as if he has the exclusive right over appointing VCs,” Mr. Stalin contended. The fact that the State government could not appoint VCs for universities under its control affected its administration, he said.

“As the State government is not able to appoint the VCs for universities under its control this has led to various confusion. It is against the ideals of democracy,” the Chief Minister said. Citing the recommendations of the Punchchi Commission over the appointment of VCs, Mr. Stalin went on to quote from them: “There would be a clash of functions and powers.”