Bengal assembly passes Bill enabling inter-university transfer of teaching, non-teaching staffers
The West Bengal Assembly has passed an amendment bill allowing the government to transfer teaching and non-teaching staff between state universities. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated the move aims to balance institutional autonomy with government accountability and improve infrastructure in newer universities.
Why it matters
This legislation significantly alters the administrative control of state-run higher education institutions, sparking debate over academic autonomy and government overreach.
The West Bengal Assembly on Thursday (September 10, 2026) passed by voice vote an amendment Bill that empowers the government to transfer teaching and non-teaching staffers from one State university to another.
The West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026 was approved by the State Cabinet on September 8. It seeks to add one provision in Section 14A of the existing 2017 Act, which will allow inter-university transfer of both teaching and non-teaching employees as and when required, officials said.
The Bill was tabled by Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay during a special session of the State Assembly.
Addressing the assembly during the tabling of the Bill, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that through the proposed legislation, "so-called pundits" will be sent to newly established institutions which would be benefited.
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