West Bengal assembly passes bill to replace Guv with CM as chancellor of state varsities

BJP opposed the move, saying that it will lead to direct 'political interference' in the state's higher education system

A bill for replacing the state’s governor with the chief minister as head of state-run universities was passed in the West Bengal assembly on Monday, despite having been opposed by the party in Opposition, the BJP.

The state cabinet, on May 26, had taken a decision to make the state’s chief minister the chancellor of the universities by introducing an amendment to existing legislation. On Monday, the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was introduced and passed, accordingly.

State education minister Bratya Basu, who introduced the bill, said that there was "nothing wrong" with the chief minister taking over as the chancellor. The Opposition, primarily the BJP, however, sees the move as one that will enhance political interference in the state’s education system.

The Trinamool-run state government and the Raj Bhavan have rarely synced over issues of administration, including the running of state universities and appointment of vice chancellors.