Governor CV Anand Bose Finalizes Appointments of Vice Chancellors for Six West Bengal Universities Following Supreme Court Order

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, December 6, 2024, Kolkata : In a significant development for the higher education sector in West Bengal, the Chancellor and Governor of the state, CV Ananda Bose, has finalized the appointments of Vice Chancellors for six major universities, following a proposal by the state government. This decision comes after a prolonged delay and in compliance with a Supreme Court directive.

State Education Minister Bratya Basu shared the news on social media, confirming that, after years of uncertainty, these universities will now have permanent Vice Chancellors. The announcement was welcomed by academics and government officials alike, as it marks a resolution to a long-standing issue.

The issue of appointing permanent Vice Chancellors in state-run universities had been a point of contention for some time. The West Bengal state government, which holds the authority to nominate Vice Chancellors, had faced challenges due to legal and procedural delays. Allegations had been raised that the state government aimed to appoint individuals aligned with its political interests. As a result, a case was filed in the Supreme Court, which led to the formation of a search committee to select the Vice Chancellors.

The search committee, headed by former Chief Justice U U Lalit, was tasked with ensuring that the appointments followed a transparent and merit-based process. After a detailed review, the committee submitted its recommendations to the Governor, who, in his capacity as Chancellor, gave his final approval to the proposed candidates.

List of newly appointed Vice Chancellors:

Presidency University: Nirmalya Narayan Chakraborty

Kalyani University: Kallol Paul

Bankura University: Rup Kumar Barman

Burdwan University: Sankar Kumar Nath

Siddho- Kanho- Birsha University: Pabitra Kumar Chakraborty

Rani Rashmoni Green University: Amiya Kumar Panda

Each of the newly appointed Vice Chancellors comes with a strong academic and administrative background, and their appointments are expected to bring stability and progress to these universities.

Expressing his gratitude, Justice U U Lalit, who chaired the search committee, thanked both the Chief Minister and the Governor for their cooperation in the process. He acknowledged the pivotal role of the Supreme Court in ensuring that the appointments were made in accordance with the highest standards of transparency and fairness.

In his statement, Education Minister Bratya Basu highlighted the importance of having permanent leadership in these institutions, noting that it would help improve governance and academic standards in the universities. "The appointment of permanent Vice Chancellors after such a long delay is a victory for the educational system of West Bengal," he stated.

The appointments are seen as a significant step in restoring stability to the administration of higher education institutions in the state. West Bengal's universities had been functioning without permanent Vice Chancellors for an extended period, which had affected their academic and administrative functioning. With these appointments, it is expected that the universities will now benefit from consistent leadership and enhanced governance.

Furthermore, the resolution of this issue comes at a time when there has been increased scrutiny of university appointments across the country. The Supreme Court's involvement and the formation of a search committee underscore the growing importance of transparency and meritocracy in educational leadership.

As the new Vice Chancellors take charge of their respective universities, all eyes will be on their leadership and their ability to address the challenges faced by these institutions. The hope is that their appointments will usher in a new era of academic excellence, administrative efficiency, and political neutrality in West Bengal’s higher education system.