Special Bengal Assembly session today to pass Bill for inter-university transfer of teachers, staff

On Thursday, the West Bengal Assembly will hold a special session to vote on a Bill that permits the transfer of teaching and non-teaching staff between state universities. This amendment, proposed by the BJP government, has faced opposition from teachers' associations and academics. The state Cabinet approved the proposal on Monday, and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described the Bill as "important" and "necessary." Adhikari stated that the passage of the Bill would be "historic."

During a Gerua Samman Yatra to Jadavpur University, Adhikari pledged that the Bill would "uproot" those who chant slogans supporting "free Kashmir" and salute Maoist leader Kishenji, a prominent figure at the university. The proposed amendment, the West Bengal Universities and Colleges Administration and Regulation Amendment Bill, 2026, adds Section 14A to the existing Act.

This new section would allow for the inter-university transfer of both teaching and non-teaching employees, with the employee's seniority remaining unchanged and the state government covering the transfer costs.

Critics argue that the Bill threatens the autonomy and job security of university employees, stating that it would centralize the system and weaken universities' self-reliance. The Jadavpur University Teachers Association called the proposal an "attack on the self-reliance of the universities" and urged the government to hold consultations with stakeholders before introducing the Bill.