North Bengal University: VC reminder on staff job

Jalpaiguri,TT, Dec. 25: Vice-chancellor Arunabha Basumajumdar has said a budget estimate for the 2012-13 fiscal has not been sent to the government yet — usually submitted in the last month of the year — because of the employees’ agitation against him at North Bengal University.

“Delay in submission of estimates might pose a problem as there might be a corresponding delay in receiving funds,” he said. “Also, the external audit team which visited the varsity recently could not carry out their task because of the closure of the cash section.”

Basumajumdar was speaking on the sidelines of a seminar organised by the Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College yesterday. The VC also said eight of the 11 demands of the employees’ association have already been met and the rest were under consideration.

Brushing aside allegations of corruption levelled against him, Basumajumdar said: “I am ready to face any inquiry. The agitation launched by the employees hardly has any rationality as eight of their 11 demands have been met. Once the Executive Council (EC) is formed, the rest would be looked into and discussed.”

The EC and court, the two decision-making bodies, are yet to be formed under the new ordinance.

The VC said the government spent Rs 82 lakh monthly on staff salary, but a host of activities were being hampered because of the agitation. “They are into agitation but they sign the attendance registers. If they are into agitation, why do they fear a pay cut because of non-attendance?”

The North Bengal University Employees’ Association said it wanted the VC to be removed. “Our message has reached the government and unless necessary changes are made, we will go ahead with our movement,” said D.P. Boot, the secretary of the association.