WB govt to probe financial irregularities in universities: Min

The West Bengal government will initiate a probe into alleged financial irregularities as noticed in some universities, state higher Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said today.
Replying to a discussion on the The West Bengal State Council of Higher Education Bill 2015 in the state Assembly, Chatterjee said many irregularities have come to his notice, adding the department would initiate a probe on those.
Naming Jadavpur University, he said Rs 2 crore had been spent in purchasing laptops without inviting any tenders.
The universities must definitely enjoy autonomy, but that should not lead to a situation where there would not be any financial discipline. Governments do have a role, he said.

Speaking on the Bill, he said the Opposition parties were raising hue and cry as the legislation provided for appointment of the higher education minister as chairman of the council.
Chatterjee said there would be no political interference with this, adding several states like Gujarat and others had already appointed ministers as chairmen of the councils.

He said the role of the council had been changed from purely advisory in nature to that of a policy making body, which requires responsibility and accountability.
The Opposition parties like the Left Front and the BJP echoed that appointment of the education minister as chairman would lead to political interference in the affairs and establish political dominance.

During the the time of voting, Congress members staged a walkout from the House. The Left Front members also left the House after Chatterjee refused to admit any amendments brought by them.