Kolkata: Calcutta University (University of Calcutta) is functioning without any Vice-Chancellor since April 19. This is the second time in recent years that the VC's post has been left vacant in the prestigious century-old university. It may be recalled that in 2022 the university was left headless for 25 days after then VC Sonali Chakraborty vacated her position.
Later, Professor Ashish Chatterjee was appointed as the interim VC and held on to the position till April 19, 2023. Earlier on March 20, Chatterjee's tenure was extended for one month. According to university rules, an interim VC can only work in that position for six months. Chatterjee had already exhausted his tenure and the University is now left without VC.
The lack of a VC in the distinguished university has led to many administrative problems in day-to-day functioning and university professors and students are bearing the brunt of it. Sankhayan Chowdhury from the Calcutta University Teachers Association said that the normal functioning of the university is affected since no policy decisions can be taken. "Universities like Calcutta University do not have a permanent vice-chancellor. As a result, many problems are arising. No policy decisions can be taken. Everything is stuck," he said.
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Chowdhury also said that he has come across Governors visiting various varsities and appointing vice-chancellors for those universities when the post lies vacant. This has led to a power tussle in the state, he said. "Both are showing their powers and the students are in trouble," Chowdhury added.
AIDSO Calcutta University Unit Secretary Subrata Khatua said, "Calcutta University does not have a permanent Vice-Chancellor for the past few months. Due to the absence of a permanent Vice-Chancellor, the students of the University are facing various problems."
After the semester examination, the results are not getting published for many days, Khatua said adding that syndicate meetings are also not being held due to which the university is not able to take any new decisions in the interest of students, teachers and staff.
Moreover, students are facing scholarship problems, he said. Policy decisions like increasing the number of books in the university library, starting a primary health centre, and starting photocopy centers inside the university cannot be taken due to the post being vacant.
On behalf of Calcutta University's SFI, Samprikta Basu said that students are facing a dilemma about where to lodge their complaints. This is because there is also no register as well. There is no student representative as well because the student council election is yet to take place. "There is anarchy going on in the university now," she said.
