Supreme Court's Intervention: Search Committee to appoint University Vice Chancellors in West Bengal

The Supreme Court has taken steps to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the appointment of university vice-chancellors in West Bengal. The Court has decided to establish a search committee responsible for appointing a permanent Vice Chancellor. It has instructed the state government, governor, and the University Grants Commission (UGC) to submit the names of 3 to 5 eminent individuals for consideration by September 25.

Additionally, the Supreme Court has called upon Governor CV Anand Bose to assist in resolving the appointment issue and has urged both the State and the Governor to set aside their differences and focus on improving educational institutions. The three parties, the state, the Governor, and the UGC, have been directed to provide a list of potential members for the search committee. Once these names are received, the search committee will be formed to propose a permanent Vice Chancellor.

This development follows the state government's challenge to the decisions made by Governor regarding the appointment of temporary vice-chancellors in universities. The state argued that the appointments made by the Governor were not in accordance with the West Bengal University Act and University Grants Commission (UGC) rules. The ongoing dispute escalated when the Governor appointed temporary vice-chancellors for several universities in the state.

The Supreme Court's decision aims to address the appointment issue and ensure a fair and legal process for the selection of university vice-chancellors in West Bengal.