Jagdeep Dhankhar said the state’s education system was “politically caged”.
Kolkata:
West Bengal’s government has the greatest respect for the governor and is “not in the mood to engage with him” amid the coronavirus crisis, Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said Thursday .
The remarks came hours after Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar said the state’s education system was “politically caged”.
On Wednesday, Mr. Dhankhar called an online meeting with the vice-chancellors (VC) of state universities to discuss the academic situation in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With the exception of one, all the vice-chancellors had stood aside.
“I find that there is a tightening of this political cage in the education scenario in West Bengal. I wanted to understand the problems that universities and colleges face by convening a virtual meeting of the VCs that they opposed tooth and nail for reasons known to all, “he said at a press meeting on Thursday.
The governor is also the chancellor of state universities.
Chatterjee, in response, told reporters that the dispensation from the TMC “does not want to engage in politics or prolong its clashes” with the governor.
“We would love to hear his valuable advice on the welfare of students but within the parameters of the constitution,” he said.
“Why should we have a problem if the governor works for the welfare of students, but he had called a meeting with VCs without notifying the higher education department. This is contrary to the rule adopted by the legislature of the state, “said the minister.
Recalling that the Center’s advice that universities and institutes should complete final year exams by the end of September will put the health of students and teachers at risk, Chatterjee said the governor has assured state that he would raise the matter with the UGC. .
“The honorable governor supported our position on July 13 that students should not be forced to take the final exams by the end of September, as this could expose them to health risks in the midst of the pandemic “He promised to deal with the issue with the UGC. We hope he will keep his promise,” said the minister, who had called Dhankhar “a BJP man” in the past.
