W.B. Assembly passes Bill for inter-university transfer of teachers and non-teaching staffers
The West Bengal Assembly has passed a bill allowing the state government to transfer university teaching and non-teaching staff between institutions for administrative reasons. While the government claims it will strengthen weaker universities, the opposition has raised concerns about potential political targeting.
Why it matters
The legislation sparks a debate over academic autonomy and the potential for political interference in higher education administration.
The West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a Bill that empowers the State government to transfer teaching and non-teaching staffers from one State university to another.
The Bill was tabled by Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay during a special session of the State Assembly with 171 MLAs voting in favour and 15 against. The Cabinet had approved the Bill on September 8.
The West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the 2017 Act by empowering the Chancellor, in consultation with the State government, to transfer employees “for administrative reasons”. The legislation seeks to add a provision to Section 14A of the existing 2017 Act, allowing inter-university transfers of teaching and non-teaching employees as and when required, officials said.
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