Prez rejects WB govt’s Bill to make CM chancellor of universities
In a significant development, President Droupadi Murmu has rejected the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which aimed to replace the Governor with the Chief Minister as the Chancellor of all state-run universities. This move has been seen as a major setback for the West Bengal government, which had been pushing for the amendment to be passed. The Bill had been reserved by Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose for the President’s consideration in April 2024, and the President’s decision has been widely anticipated.
The West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, was introduced by the West Bengal government with the objective of making the Chief Minister the Chancellor of all state-run universities. The government had argued that this would help to improve the administration of universities and bring them under the direct control of the state government. However, the move was met with opposition from various quarters, including the BJP and other critics, who raised concerns about the potential for political interference in the education system.
The BJP and other critics had argued that making the Chief Minister the Chancellor of universities would lead to politicization of education and undermine the autonomy of universities. They had also pointed out that the Governor, as the Chancellor, was a neutral figure who could ensure that universities were run in a fair and impartial manner. The opposition had also expressed concerns that the amendment would give the Chief Minister too much power and control over the education system, which could lead to favoritism and nepotism.
The President’s decision to reject the Bill has been seen as a vindication of the concerns raised by the opposition. The President’s office has not given any official reason for the rejection, but it is believed that the concerns about political interference in the education system were a major factor in the decision. The rejection of the Bill is also seen as a reflection of the Centre’s commitment to upholding the autonomy of universities and ensuring that the education system is free from political interference.
The West Bengal government had been pushing for the amendment to be passed, and the Chief Minister had argued that it was necessary to improve the administration of universities. However, the opposition had been vocal in their criticism of the move, and the Governor had reserved the Bill for the President’s consideration. The President’s decision to reject the Bill has now put an end to the controversy, and it remains to be seen how the West Bengal government will respond to the rejection.
The rejection of the Bill has also sparked a debate about the role of the Governor in the state. The Governor had reserved the Bill for the President’s consideration, which had been seen as a move to ensure that the amendment was scrutinized carefully. The Governor’s decision to reserve the Bill had been praised by the opposition, who had seen it as a move to protect the autonomy of universities.
The West Bengal government has not yet commented on the President’s decision, but it is likely that they will challenge the rejection in the coming days. The government may try to introduce a new Bill or amend the existing one to address the concerns raised by the President. However, the opposition is likely to continue to oppose any move to make the Chief Minister the Chancellor of universities, and the controversy is likely to continue.
In conclusion, the President’s decision to reject the West Bengal University Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2022, is a significant development that has far-reaching implications for the education system in West Bengal. The rejection of the Bill is a vindication of the concerns raised by the opposition about the potential for political interference in the education system. The controversy has sparked a debate about the role of the Governor and the autonomy of universities, and it remains to be seen how the West Bengal government will respond to the rejection.
The decision is also a reflection of the Centre’s commitment to upholding the autonomy of universities and ensuring that the education system is free from political interference. The rejection of the Bill is a significant setback for the West Bengal government, and it is likely to have implications for the state’s education system in the coming days.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it is clear that the President’s decision has sent a strong message about the importance of protecting the autonomy of universities. The decision is a reminder that the education system should be free from political interference and that the autonomy of universities should be protected at all costs.
News Source: https://x.com/airnewsalerts/status/2000530778275618943
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