After West Bengal University of Technology vice-chancellor Sabyasachi Sengupta, it’s the turn of Ashok Nath Thakur, vice-chancellor of the West Bengal State University, Barasat. The grievance cell of the higher education department has levelled similar charges of financial irregularities, nepotism and corruption against the university to remove Thakur. The state government also sought his removal while sending the inspection report to university chancellor M K Narayanan.
“There are major complaints against the university. The higher education inspection committee under economist and chairman of higher education advisory committee, Avirup Sarkar, has submitted reports to the department clearly stating the lacuna. Students have also lodged complaints with the grievance cell against the varsity,” said a senior higher education department official. The removal suggestion was made based on reports of the inspection committee.
Ashok Nath Thakur had sent his resignation to the university chancellor on January 19 this year. The chancellor did not accept the resignation at that time. The new government has now urged Narayanan to accept the resignation which is lying with him.
When contacted, VC of West Bengal State University said, “I have not been given any information on the report of the inspection committee which had come to visit the university. I wanted to quit on January 19 since I wanted to pursue my research job on bio-informatics. I had met the governor after putting in my papers. He requested me to continue in my post. The governor told me that there will be shortage of people to run the university administration if everyone wanted to return to pursue research. I stayed back.”
On Monday afternoon education minister Bratya Basu called on the governor to discuss the removal procedure of vice-chancellor of West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT). After emerging from the hour long meeting Basu said that after reports were submitted to the chancellor, he held a discussion with Narayanan to discuss ways of finding a solution to the issue and informing him about the stand of the government. “The ordinance has been promulgated but is yet to be approved in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. We can’t frame the rules unless the ordinance is passed in the Assembly. The chancellor can take a decision only after the rules are in place. We have forwarded our suggestion to Narayanan based on the reports of the higher education inspection committee,” the minister said.
WBUT vice-chancellor Sabyasachi Sengupta has also sought an appointment with the chancellor on Monday. “I will take a decision only after meeting the governor. I have already sought a time to meet him,” said Sengupta.
The state education department on November 23 levelled grave charges against Sengupta based on reports from three academic committees and the government auditor. The charges relate to financial irregularities, nepotism and harassment of students and teachers.
(from Times of India)
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