2 days ago
Jadavpur Faculty Urge Governor to Scrap Inter-University Transfer Bill
More than 400 teachers from Jadavpur University asked West Bengal’s Governor to stop a new transfer law.
The law would allow the government to move teachers and other staff between state universities.
The teachers say each university has its own rules and working conditions.
They worry that forced transfers could interrupt research and teaching.
They also say people may not want university jobs if they can be moved unexpectedly.
The teachers suggested temporary assignments instead.
These assignments could help universities with weaker facilities without permanently moving staff.
The Bill was passed by the state Assembly on September 10.
401 members of the Jadavpur University Teachers Association signed a representation to Governor R N Ravi.
The faculty urged withdrawal of a Bill permitting transfers between state universities.
The West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, passed on September 10.
Teachers’ bodies cited concerns about institutional autonomy, service conditions, teaching and research.
JUTA proposed short-term assignments instead of compulsory permanent or inter-university transfers.
- Who
- 401 members of the Jadavpur University Teachers Association, represented by general secretary Partha Pratim Roy, appealed to Governor R N Ravi.
- What
- They urged withdrawal of a Bill allowing the government to transfer teaching and non-teaching staff between state universities.
- Where
- The appeal concerns state universities in West Bengal and was submitted to the Governor, who is also their Chancellor.
- When
- The representation was sent on Wednesday, after being drafted on September 14; the Bill passed on September 10, 2026.
- Why
- JUTA said compulsory transfers could undermine institutional autonomy, alter service conditions, disrupt research and discourage qualified academics from taking university jobs.
Faculty Opposition
Transfer Provision
University autonomy
Faculty Opposition
JUTA argues that universities operate under separate statutes, regulations and service conditions, making compulsory transfers problematic.
Transfer Provision
The Bill gives the government authority to transfer teaching and non-teaching staff from one state university to another.
Effect on research and recruitment
Faculty Opposition
JUTA says forced transfers could disrupt research projects and discourage highly qualified academics from seeking university positions.
Transfer Provision
The Bill’s transfer mechanism provides for staff movement between state universities, though the article does not state the government’s response to these concerns.
Support for weaker universities
Faculty Opposition
JUTA supports short-term assignments as a way to assist institutions with inadequate infrastructure without permanent or inter-university transfers.
Transfer Provision
The Bill uses inter-university transfers as the authorized mechanism for moving staff between state universities.
Key facts
- Signatories
- 401 Jadavpur University Teachers Association members
- Recipient
- West Bengal Governor R N Ravi
- Bill
- West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026
- Assembly passage
- September 10, 2026
- Bill’s provision
- Allows government transfers of teaching and non-teaching staff between state universities
- Faculty concerns
- Institutional autonomy, service conditions, teaching and research
- Alternative proposed
- Short-term assignments to support universities with inadequate infrastructure
Quotes
Partha Pratim Roy
General secretary of the Jadavpur University Teachers Association
“The letter was drafted on September 14 but sent to the Chancellor on Wednesday.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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