Mamta Banerjee challenges governor's authority in VC' selection, orders to to forgo salary and allowances

The conflict between West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Governor CV Anand Bose has escalated significantly. The Higher Education Department has directed the Vice-Chancellors appointed by the Governor not to receive salary and allowances, citing illegal appointments made without consulting the state government.

Taking legal advice, the state has issued a directive to freeze the salary and allowances of the university registrars. Several universities in the state recently appointed Chancellors, leading to objections from the state Education Minister, Bratya Basu, who deemed the appointments as unlawful.

In response, the state government has instructed the Vice-Chancellors not to accept allowances and remuneration. The Education Department has declared the Governor's appointments as invalid, warning of strict action if salary and allowances are collected.

The conflict between the Governor and the state government has deepened, particularly regarding the appointments of Vice-Chancellors. Disputes arose after the Governor's meeting last month, where professors were appointed as Chancellors in universities whose terms had expired.