KOLKATA, 28 DEC: The impasse at North Bengal University seems headed for a resolution. At the request of top state officials, the association of non-teaching staff has decided to end its month-long strike.
The association's members have since 9 December been barring Vice-Chancellor Mr Arunabha Basumajumder's entry to the university. Though classes are officially on, the academic and administrative schedules have been affected by the non-cooperation by the staff. According to the protestors, the vice chancellor has been a "thorough failure." Yet, he has been allowed an extension of three months, expiring in March 2012.
The department of higher education has formed a three-member fact-finding committee headed by Professor Sugato Marjit to probe the situation. Association leaders met with state higher education minister Mr Bratya Basu and north Bengal development minister Mr Goutam Deb today.
Afterwards, Mr Basu said: "This committee will visit the university in the first week of January. All involved parties will be interrogated. They will submit a report. Based on that, we will take adequate actions. Until then, we have asked the protesters to call off their strike in the interest of the university as well as the students."
Mr Debiprasad Boot, general secretary of the association, said his group doesn't trust the Vice-Chancellor but it does trust the minister. "Since he has requested us to withdraw the strike, we will do that. But, it is not for us that the university has lost its normalcy. The high power committee will find out,” Mr Boot said.
Vice-Chancellor Mr Basumajumder said: "I have been granted an extension since I have to form the highest decision-taking bodies of the university, according to the new University Act. I will definitely co-operate with the department's team. The real situation is subject to investigation."
The association's members have since 9 December been barring Vice-Chancellor Mr Arunabha Basumajumder's entry to the university. Though classes are officially on, the academic and administrative schedules have been affected by the non-cooperation by the staff. According to the protestors, the vice chancellor has been a "thorough failure." Yet, he has been allowed an extension of three months, expiring in March 2012.
The department of higher education has formed a three-member fact-finding committee headed by Professor Sugato Marjit to probe the situation. Association leaders met with state higher education minister Mr Bratya Basu and north Bengal development minister Mr Goutam Deb today.
Afterwards, Mr Basu said: "This committee will visit the university in the first week of January. All involved parties will be interrogated. They will submit a report. Based on that, we will take adequate actions. Until then, we have asked the protesters to call off their strike in the interest of the university as well as the students."
Mr Debiprasad Boot, general secretary of the association, said his group doesn't trust the Vice-Chancellor but it does trust the minister. "Since he has requested us to withdraw the strike, we will do that. But, it is not for us that the university has lost its normalcy. The high power committee will find out,” Mr Boot said.
Vice-Chancellor Mr Basumajumder said: "I have been granted an extension since I have to form the highest decision-taking bodies of the university, according to the new University Act. I will definitely co-operate with the department's team. The real situation is subject to investigation."
statesman news service
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