In a major development, the West Bengal cabinet has approved the proposal to make the Chief Minister of the state the Chancellor of all state-run universities, while removing the Governor as Visitor to private universities.
If the bill is passed, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would become the Chancellor of State Universities, instead of the Governor. The state government had removed Governor Jagdeep Dhankar as the Visitor to private varsities and Chancellor of state-run universities a few days ago.
The Bill now needs the affirmation of the Governor to get implemented and become an act.
As per reports, the development comes in the backdrop of the alleged clash of the Banerjee-led government and Governor Jagdeep Dhankar over the appointment of Vice Chancellors across universities. It has been reported that the rift began when Dhankar had alleged that the government had appointed vice-chancellors of 24 universities without his consent.
A Chancellor of a university is the prime decision maker in the appointment of Vice Chancellor, among other duties. Rules suggest that the ‘visitor’ can also demand any paper or information related to the internal matters of the universities. Under the current law, the Governor is the Chancellor of all state-run universities and not the Chief Minister.
Before approval of the proposal, Minister Bratya Basu made the announcement that the said proposal is expected to be taken to the Assembly so that certain acts can be amended.
