The West Bengal cabinet on Monday approved a proposal to replace Governor Jagdeep Dhankar and appoint Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the Chancellor of all state-run universities.
“The cabinet gave its consent to make the chief minister the chancellor of all state-run universities, including agricultural and health varsities,” a government official said to the PTI news agency.
The move comes in the backdrop of Governor Jadgeep Dhankhar’s clash with the state government over appointments of vice-chancellors across universities
On 26 May, the state cabinet had passed a resolution to remove Dhankar, and make Mamata the chancellor in his place.
The proposal will be introduced as a Bill in the assembly in the monsoon session starting June 10. The proposals have to be passed as Bills in the state assembly where the ruling Trinamool Congress is in majority and also receive the assent of the Governor before it can come into effect.
Meanwhile, Dhankhar Sunday said that there is no rule of law in his state as it is being governed by a “ruler” — apparently referring to chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
“I have seen terrible situation and challenges being a governor. I have seen the rule going beyond constitutional system. I have seen a situation where there is no rule of law, but a ruler,” Dhankhar said during his visit to Udaipur where he attended several events.
Last month Tamil Nadu had passed a bill empowering the state government to take over the Governor’s power of appointing vice-chancellors to universities.
