Mamata Banerjee To Be Chancellor Of State-Run Universities In Bengal

BJP legislators protested but just 40 votes were polled against the bill and 183 in favour.

The West Bengal assembly today passed a bill that makes the Chief Minister - and not the Governor - Chancellor of all state universities in Bengal. BJP legislators protested but just 40 votes were polled against the bill and 183 were in favour. The move had earlier been cleared by the state Cabinet in the backdrop of Governor Jadgeep Dhankhar's clash with the state government over appointments of vice-chancellors across universities.

The Bill will now need the Governor's clearance, but he is constitutionally bound to act on the advice of the Cabinet.

The Governor, by virtue of his position, is the Chancellor of all state-run universities.

Last month Tamil Nadu had passed a bill empowering the state government to take over the Governor's power of appointing vice-chancellors to universities.