West Bengal Assembly clears Bill allowing transfers between state universities (2026-09-11)

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a Bill that allows the state government to transfer teaching and non-teaching employees from one state university to another. The measure was tabled by Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay during a special session, and drew 171 votes in favour against 15 opposed. The Cabinet had cleared it on September 8.

Formally titled the West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, the legislation amends the 2017 Act. It empowers the Chancellor, in consultation with the state government, to shift employees for administrative reasons. Officials said the Bill adds a provision to Section 14A of the parent law, permitting inter-university transfers of teaching and non-teaching staff as and when required.

Participating in the discussion, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari repeatedly referred to Jadavpur University. In a remark aimed at the Jadavpur University Teachers' Association, he said the "so-called pundits" would be posted to newly established institutions, which would gain from their experience. "We aim to make weaker universities stronger and independent by applying the Bill. There is a ground reality that necessitates the Bill," he said.

Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress challenged both the manner in which the Bill was brought and the omission of academic reasons as a ground for transfer alongside administrative ones. He asked whether the legislation could result in the selective targeting of political opponents.

Trinamool Congress MLA and former IPS officer Prasun Banerjee acknowledged that there could be a genuine administrative case for moving experienced teachers when student enrolment in a subject falls, but cautioned against political misuse. "If the number of students in a particular subject at a university declines, there may be a need to utilise the expertise and experience of the teacher concerned elsewhere. But it is essential to ensure that the power to transfer does not become a tool for politically 'selective targeting' of anyone," he said.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) MLA Md. Mostafijur Rahaman and Indian Secular Front MLA Nawshad Siddique also argued that the legislation would lead to the selective targeting of academics critical of the state government.