3 hrs ago
West Bengal Assembly Special Session Targets Inter-University Staff Transfers
The West Bengal government wants to change a law about university employees.
The change would allow teachers and other staff to move from one state university to another.
Their seniority would stay the same, and the government would pay moving costs.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari says experienced teachers could help newer universities improve.
He has mentioned universities in Jhargram and Cooch Behar.
Teachers’ groups disagree with the plan.
They say it could reduce universities’ independence and hurt employees’ job security.
The Bill is being introduced during a one-day Assembly session on Thursday.
The proposal comes while there is political tension at Jadavpur University.
The West Bengal Assembly will hold a one-day special session on Thursday to introduce an amendment Bill allowing transfers of teaching and non-teaching staff between state universities.
The proposed Bill would preserve employees’ service seniority, with the state government paying transfer expenses.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said experienced professors could be sent to newer universities, including those in Jhargram and Cooch Behar.
Teachers’ associations said the measure could undermine university autonomy, employee job security and established appointment procedures.
The Bill comes amid tensions at Jadavpur University involving clashes between ABVP and SFI supporters.
- Who
- The West Bengal government, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, state universities and teachers’ associations are involved.
- What
- The Assembly is considering an amendment Bill that would permit transfers of teaching and non-teaching staff between state universities.
- Where
- The Bill will be introduced in the West Bengal Assembly and would apply to state universities, including newer institutions in places such as Jhargram and Cooch Behar.
- When
- The one-day special Assembly session is scheduled for Thursday; the Cabinet cleared the proposal on Monday.
- Why
- The government says experienced staff are needed to guide newer universities, while teachers’ associations say the plan threatens university autonomy and employee security.
State Government
Teachers’ Associations
Purpose of the Bill
State Government
The government says the measure is necessary to move experienced professors to newer universities and help them develop academic infrastructure and teaching systems.
Teachers’ Associations
Teachers’ associations say the proposal attacks universities’ self-reliance and centralises control over the higher-education system.
University autonomy
State Government
The government presents the provision as an extension of an existing arrangement that permits staff transfers between colleges within a state university.
Teachers’ Associations
The Jadavpur University Teachers Association says each university has its own rules and procedures, and that the plan conflicts with university autonomy and University Grants Commission principles.
Employee conditions
State Government
The proposed provision would retain employees’ seniority and have the state pay transfer expenses.
Teachers’ Associations
Teachers’ associations argue that forcing employees to work under different institutional conditions could threaten job security and violate natural justice.
Key facts
- Bill
- West Bengal Universities and Colleges Administration and Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026
- Proposed power
- Inter-university transfers of teaching and non-teaching employees
- Seniority
- Employees’ service seniority would remain unchanged
- Transfer costs
- The state government would bear the expenses
- Government rationale
- Experienced professors could help develop newer universities
- Main opposition
- Teachers’ associations object to possible centralisation and reduced university autonomy
- Campus context
- The proposal follows recent clashes between ABVP and SFI supporters at Jadavpur University
Quotes
Suvendu Adhikari
Chief Minister of West Bengal commenting on the proposed redistribution of experienced university staff.
“There is a need to utilise that experience in the new universities. If skilled professors and staff go to the new institutions, the quality of teaching, research and administrative infrastructure there will improve rapidly. This initiative is being taken to maintain the overall balance of higher education.”
thehansindia.com
“This Bill is important. There is a ground reality that necessitates it… Several experienced professors will go to the new universities. They will guide these universities on what the infrastructure should be like, how classes can be conducted and how they can be turned into centres of excellence.”
indianexpress.com
State higher education department official
An official from West Bengal’s higher education department explaining the bill’s transfer provisions.
“The bill proposes to transfer those who have taught for a long time in old state-run universities in Kolkata or other big cities to new universities henceforth. This policy is also effective for educational workers attached to different state-run universities.”
thehansindia.com
“It’s a direct attack on the self-reliance of the universities, and the job security of the employees.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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