Archive · 26 Aug 2026
North Bengal University Staff Begin Indefinite Sit-In Over Pay Demands
About 400 temporary workers at North Bengal University started a sit-in protest.
They want better pay and clearer rules for their jobs.
They are also asking for compensation leave, medical leave and other benefits.
Some workers want the university to recruit them into permanent non-teaching jobs.
On the second day, tables were put outside the acting registrar’s office.
This meant he had to work from another part of the university.
The workers said they were still doing necessary work and were not on strike.
The acting registrar said he could not promise changes because many demands belong to other officials.
Around 400 casual and contractual North Bengal University employees began an indefinite sit-in on Monday.
They are seeking higher salaries, a defined pay scale, leave benefits and other service-related improvements.
Protesters say roughly 400 permanent non-teaching positions remain vacant and want recruitment opportunities.
On Tuesday, two tables were placed outside acting registrar Samar Kumar Biswas’s chamber, prompting him to work elsewhere.
The acting registrar said most demands fall under the finance officer and other officials, and NBU currently has no finance officer.
- Who
- Around 350 casual and 50 contractual employees of North Bengal University, including members of the North Bengal University Temporary Teaching Staff Association.
- What
- They launched an indefinite sit-in seeking a salary hike, a pay scale, leave benefits, recruitment to permanent posts and other service-related changes.
- When
- The protest began on Monday; the reported obstruction outside the acting registrar’s chamber occurred on Tuesday, the second day.
- Where
- At North Bengal University, including outside the acting registrar’s chamber.
- Why
- The employees want improved pay and service conditions, and action on vacant permanent non-teaching positions.
Employees’ Position
University Administration’s Position
Pay and service demands
Employees’ Position
The employees want a salary increase, a specific pay scale, proper leave entitlements and other service-related benefits.
University Administration’s Position
The acting registrar said most of these matters are outside his administrative authority and involve the finance officer or other officials.
Permanent employment
Employees’ Position
The protesters pointed to about 400 vacant permanent non-teaching posts and asked why recruitment steps had not been taken.
University Administration’s Position
The university administration did not make a commitment on recruitment in the reported statements.
Effect on university operations
Employees’ Position
The workers said they were continuing necessary duties while holding the sit-in and were not stopping work.
University Administration’s Position
The protest put pressure on the administration and the placement of tables outside the registrar’s chamber forced him to work elsewhere.
- Protesting workforce
- Around 350 casual employees and 50 contractual employees
- Protest duration
- Indefinite sit-in
- Main demands
- Salary hike, defined pay scale, compensation leave, medical leave and other service benefits
- Permanent vacancies
- Protesters cited around 400 vacant permanent non-teaching posts
- Acting registrar
- Samar Kumar Biswas
- Administrative issue
- North Bengal University currently has no finance officer, according to the acting registrar
- Work status
- Employees said they continued necessary work and were not observing a work stoppage