‘WB govt will ensure smooth financial functioning of Univs’

 The state government can interfere into the financial matters of the universities to ensure smooth academic environment, said the state education minister Partha Chatterjee.

In reply to a question in Assembly on Wednesday, the state education minister said: “As people’s money is involved, the state government can interfere in the financial matters of the universities. A section of media and intellectuals had raised their voice claiming that the state government interferes in the functioning of the universities. As per the UGC norms, there are three aspects of the universities – academic, administrative and finance.”

Raising the issue of the alleged misappropriation of fund in Calcutta University which is still under investigation, Chatterjee said: “The state government can interfere to ascertain whether the persons responsible are executing his or her work properly.” 

He further said there are 28 universities in the state. Eight of which are private universities. Only in nine out of the rest 20 universities there are no permanent vice-chancellors (V-C). The universities where there is no permanent V-Cs include Calcutta University (CU), Kalyani University (KU), West Bengal State University, Maulana Abul Kalam Ajad University of technology, Bankura University, Diamond Harbour Women University, Raiganj University and Sanskrit College and University.

He said search committee has been formed for the V-C of West Bengal State University and the committee will start its work soon. The task of forming the search committee for CU and KU is in its last phase. The committee will start functioning after getting representative of the senate. 

The process to appoint permanent V-C in Diamond Harbour Women University will begin soon. The statute has been formed recently. While the process of appointing permanent VC in Bankura University, Raiganj University and Sanskrit College and University will begin with the formation of the statute.

He further said that the notification to fill up the vacant posts of principal in 42 colleges was given twice through Public Service Commission. Only 27 had applied. There is also low interest for the post of principals, he said.