Governor appointing vice chancellors in arbitrary manner: West Bengal Education Minister
The Hindu
The education minister took exception in the appointment of VCs in 11 of the 31 state universities by the governor without consulting the state higher education department and the minister.
Amid growing differences between the state government and Raj Bhavan, West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu on Friday alleged that the governor is acting arbitrarily while appointing interim vice chancellors in state universities.
The minister said the government will be "forced" to take the legal route if Governor C.V. Ananda Bose continues to unilaterally appoint VCs without the state's consent.
He also expressed dismay over reports that the governor has taken the responsibility of discharging functions in 14 of the 20 other universities in the state till the appointments are made.
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"How can the governor be the chancellor and vice-chancellor of a university at the same time. Can two items prepared from the same rice grain be the same? It seems the governor believes in it. Don't know under which provisions of the law he is doing these things. Bose is acting at will without bothering to consult a democratically elected government. We will be forced to take the legal route if such things continue," Mr. Basu told reporters in the Assembly lobby when asked about the governor's move.
The education minister on Thursday took exception in the appointment of VCs in 11 of the 31 state universities by the governor without consulting the state higher education department and the minister.
"Even three-time chief minister (Mamata Banerjee) has not been consulted before such an appointment was made, which is nothing short of an insult to a people's representative. But we still wish to have discussion with the governor on the issue out of courtesy," he said.
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