| | 8 SEPTEMBER 2023HIGHERReviewIn the midst of a dispute in Bengal over the proce-dures for choosing vice-chancellors (VC) of state in-stitutions, Raj Bhavan issued a press release on Friday implying that the governor, Dr CV Ananda Bose, will continue to serve as interim VC of universities in Bengal where vacancies exist.According to the notice, Bose, in his capacity as chan-cellor, has opted to execute the functions of the VCs in these universities till new interim VCs are appointed.Raj Bhavan reported that students at a few West Ben-gal state universities whose VC positions are vacant are having difficulty obtaining degree certificates and other documentation."To provide them relief, the Honourable Governor of West Bengal has decided to discharge the duties of the VCs in these Universities until new interim VCs are ap-pointed," the press release stated.They can also meet the governor in person in the Ra-jbhavan, during the tour, or in the circuit houses by reg-istering online for the `Amnesame' programme while on tour.Meanwhile, Dr. Bose will make frequent visits to universities to meet with students until the openings are filled.This comes at a time when Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) administration is at odds with Raj Bha-van over the appointment of state university vice chan-cellors.Earlier in June, Raj Bhavan issued a press release an-nouncing that the Governor, in his capacity as Governor, appointed at least 11 interim vice-chancellors for a num-ber of institutions, including the University of Kalyani, the University of Burdwan, The Sanskrit College and University, Sidho Kanho Birsha University, Kazi Nazrul University, Dakshin Dinajpur University, the University of Calcutta, Jadavpur University, Bank State Education Minister Bratya Basu, on the other hand, called the deci-sion "illegal."Education Minister Bratya Basu again publicly con-demned Governor Bose's decision to undertake the re-sponsibilities of VC for vacant seats.The state government is of the opinion that Dr. Bose has no legal standing to appoint VCs of state varsities."I have nothing more to say that I haven't said before. I hope the Supreme Court takes cognizance of the fact that Bengal governor is working according to his whims and fancies." Basu said.He further questioned, "I want to understand which law allows him the right to do what he is doing?"The TMC government also indicated that if the gov-ernor continued his "lawlessness", the state might opt for legal options. "We will look at legal measures if he contin-ues to do so," he concluded.On Thursday, the governor appointed Dr. Raj Kumar Kothari as officiating vice-chancellor of the West Bengal State University.FOCAL POINT BENGAL GOVERNOR APPOINTED INTERIM VC OF STATE UNIVERSITIES
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