West Bengal: Universities can’t take orders from govt without V-C’s consent, says Governor CV Bose

Stating that the vice-chancellors had raised certain issues seeking clarifications from the office of the Chancellor (Governor) during meetings on various occasions, the circular said that clarifications were being issued for future guidance of the universities based on expert legal opinion.

“The officials of the university are to execute the orders issued by the VC and they are not mandated to take orders directly from the government or to execute those without the knowledge and consent of the VC,” the circular said. It further clarified that the registrars and other officials have no independent authority to function circumventing the VC. The circular said that the VC, being the principal executive and the academic head, all other officers are to assist him in discharging his functions ensuring compliance with the University Act, statutes, ordinances and regulations.

The circular said that the concept of deputation involves a tripartite consensual agreement on the basis of a decision taken by the employer, the “borrowing institution” and the consent of the employee who is to go on deputation. Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of an event in the city, Bose said on Sunday, “Those guidelines are meant to end confusion. It clarifies that the government should ensure the autonomy of the universities. This is not a decision based on the issued by the office of the Chancellor of state universities. It is based on the constitution of the UGC Act and also in the orders of the Supreme Court.”

Reacting to the development, senior Trinamool leader and state minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said, “He is the Chancellor and he is behaving like a vice-chancellor. He is taking all the decisions. Now he will become the registrar of state universities. After that he will become the student. He feels like he can do whatever he wants.”
Gov appoints interim VCs of 7 universities

Meanwhile, Governor Bose Sunday appointed interim VCs of seven varsities. Prof Raj Kumar Kothari has been appointed Interim VC of West Bengal State University, while Justice Subhrakamal Mukherjee, who currently holds interim charge of Rabindra Bharati University, will also be Interim VC of Presidency University. Prof Debabrata Basu has been appointed Interim VC of Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, while Prof Tapan Chanda the Interim VC of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology. Prof Gautam Chakraborty has been given charge of University of Burdwan, and Prof Indrajit Lahiri will take charge as Interim VC of Netaji Subhas Open University. Prof Shyam Sundar Dana was appointed Interim VC of West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences.