Raj Bhavan appoints interim V-Cs to 14 state universities

Kolkata: In a late-night development on Sunday, Governor C V Ananda Bose, appointed interim vice-chancellors (V-C) to 14 state universities while asking officers to seek consent of V-Cs before executing state government orders.

Bose, as the Chancellor of state-run universities, had recently appointed himself as the interim V-C for 14 universities that were functioning without one. Justifying his act, he had said the students were having issues obtaining degree certificates and other necessary documents in the absence of a V-C.

On Sunday late at night, he initially appointed V-Cs to seven varsities, including Presidency University, MAKAUT and University of Burdwan. Prof Raj Kumar Kothari was appointed interim V-C of West Bengal State University. Justice Subhrakamal Mukherjee, who currently holds interim charge of Rabindra Bharati University, will also be Interim V-C of Presidency University.

Prof Debabrata Basu was appointed interim V-C of Uttar Banga Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, while Prof Tapan Chanda was appointed interim V-C of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology. Prof Gautam Chakraborty was given charge of University of Burdwan, and Prof Indrajit Lahiri will take charge as interim V-C of Netaji Subhas Open University. Prof Shyam Sundar Dana was appointed interim V-C of West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences. It was learnt that the criterion for selection of the interim V-Cs were eligibility, suitability, competence, willingness and desirability.

At midnight, Raj Bhavan sources claimed that appointment letters for seven more universities had also been finalised, taking the total count to 14 universities. Of the universities to which names were finalised, five were such where officiating V-Cs had resigned due to threats issued to them

Meanwhile, Raj Bhavan also issued a circular directing that the officers of the universities need to execute the orders of the vice-chancellors (V-Cs) and take their consent while acting on the orders of the state government.

Raj Bhavan’s circular drew flak from all quarters, mainly from academicians and the ruling party. “The Governor is forgetting that he is nominated but we are elected by the people. The statutes of the universities and the role of chancellor and vice-chancellor are being flouted in a desperate attempt to run a parallel administration in higher education. The Bengali intelligentsia is being dishonoured by the Governor,” said Shashi Panja, state cabinet minister. “I am unable to comprehend the message that the Governor wants to deliver. The universities in the state are set up by the state government through legislation in the state Assembly.

Thus, the state has to have control over these universities. Moreover, the funds by the Centre are insufficient for running varsities. Hence, the state government’s fund is essential for the smooth functioning of the varsities,” Educationist Pabitra Sarkar said.

However, Raj Bhavan has clarified that the V-C, pro V-C and registrar are the main functionaries of the universities. The V-C being the principal executive and the academic head, the other officers should follow his orders and assist him in discharging his functions in compliance with the university act and statutes.