Trinamul opposes appointment of Gour Banga varsity official

Trinamul opposes appointment of Gour Banga varsity official

6 April 2012

statesman news service
MALDA, 6 APRIL: A Trinamul-backed group has written to the Governor to oppose the confirmation of an official to a permanent post at the University of Gour Banga.
Mr Apurba Chakraborty was appointed as inspector in colleges (IC) of the university in February 2011 by the former university council. The other candidates who competed for the post alleged that Mr Chakraborty was given undue advantage, and his appointment was unfair.
"Dr Chakraborty has neither the prescribed experience nor due qualification required for the post. It was his intimacy with the former Left Front government that fetched him the crucial post," said Mr Pradyot Ghosh, speaking on behalf of the Trinamul-backed Gour Banga Siksaha O Sanskriti Unnayan Mancha (GBSSUM), a forum of intellectuals from Malda and both Dinajpurs.
Mr Chakraborty was on probation for the first year, and his service was due to be confirmed in February, making him the permanent IC. Meanwhile, the former council was dissolved and a new council was formed.
The members of the GBSSUM met the new council members right before the first meeting on 25 March and alleged that Mr Chakraborty’s appointment was controversial and illegal. They also asked the new council not to confirm Mr Chakraborty's service.
The council, however, referred the issue to Governor MK Narayanan, who is also the Chancellor. So the GBSSUM on 3 April sent a written objection to the Governor, claiming Mr Chakraborty's appointment was an "instance of corrupt practice" by the selection committee.
The GBSSUM also said the "standard procedure of screening the applications for the interview by a screening committee" was violated by the Vice-Chancellor (V-C).
"The interview was cancelled on the date fixed at the sweet will of the V-C and the interview was held the next day without giving ‘sufficient time’ to the candidates," the group alleged.
A good number of UGB teachers, however, stand by Mr Chakraborty and claim he served as the officiating registrar during a period of crisis for the varsity. "It’s unfortunate that a commendable officer like him is being targeted merely on political grounds," said a senior teacher on the condition of anonymity.
The senior teacher also said that, as per the conditions mentioned in the appointment letter, Mr Chakraborty’s service should be automatically confirmed after one year. The council's nod is "a mere formality," he said.
V-C Gopa Dutta also supported Mr Chakraborty, saying: “I’m happy that he performed satisfactorily from his capacity."