'Chant' whiff in transfer of non-teaching varsity staff

Kolkata: The transfer of a non-teaching staff at Calcutta University triggered protests from the BJP-backed West Bengal University Employees Association on Monday with the latter alleging that the person was removed as he had chanted Jai Sri Ram while pressing for some of their demands on Friday.

Pranay Dutta was given transfer order on Saturday and was asked to join duties on the Haringhata campus of the varsity in Nadia district.

"This was a routine transfer. If an employee has any objection to transfer he/ she is free to report the matter to the varsity. The university always tries to ensure that our employees are not inconvenienced by any means," said CU Vice-Chancellor Sonali Chakravarti Banerjee said.

The Vice-Chancellor further said if a place of posting of any employee was far away from his residence then if the concerned person applies pointing out his difficulty the university reconsiders its decision. "Jai Sri Ram slogan has nothing to do with this transfer. He (Pranay Dutta) works in my office but hardly come to my room. I always believe that every single staff- teaching or non-teaching should work together for the good of the university," Banerjee asserted.

The transferred employee alleged that he has been transferred for chanting slogans. "I have been working in the Vice-Chancellor's department for the past six years. The place where I have been transferred is far away from my residence," he said.

It was learnt from sources that the varsity is is likely to revoke the previous order and transfer him to the Rajabazar Science College campus of the university.