Bengal Governor holds virtual meeting with interim V-Cs of State universities

Gov. Bose held virtual meeting with interim V-Cs of state univs. to discuss academic & admin. issues. He asked to strengthen anti-ragging committee & offered advice. 22 interim V-Cs attended, appointed by Bose since May. His decision to appoint interim V-Cs drew flak from Education Minister, but Raj Bhavan said it was in interest of students.

West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on September 24 held a virtual meeting with interim Vice-Chancellors of State universities, who were appointed by him, to discuss academic and administrative issues faced by the higher educational institutions.

One of the V-Cs in attendance at the meeting told PTI that the Governor spoke about ways to run the institutions in the best interest of students.

"The honourable Governor asked us to strengthen the anti-ragging committee in our respective universities, among other things... He also said that he would be available on phone for any advice,” another V-C said.

A total of 22 interim V-Cs, appointed by Mr. Bose since May, attended the meeting, a Raj Bhavan source said.

Mr. Bose's decision to appoint the interim V-Cs of 16 State universities “without consulting the State Government” had drawn flak from the Education Minister.

The Raj Bhavan had countered the State Government’s criticism, saying the Governor had only acted in the interest of students, as a stalemate was created following the retirement of permanent V-Cs of the universities concerned.