North Bengal University: Threat by NBU staff greets peace call

Siliguri, Jan. 5.TT: The fact-finding team from Calcutta today said the government was not in favour of any type of agitation that would affect the academic environment at North Bengal University, but employees’ association threatened to re-launch the movement if the vice-chancellor did not implement its demands in a month.

The team headed by Sugata Marjit, chairman of West Bengal Council for Higher Education and comprising Abhirup Sarkar, chairman of expert committee on higher education, pushed for peace on the campus after their meetings with different varsity stakeholders over the past two days.

“We believe in democracy but we will not accept any type of agitation that will hamper the academic environment of the institution and adversely affect the students. We have conveyed the message of the state government to the varsity stakeholders,” Marjit told journalists today.

The official was referring to a sit-in by the NBU Employees’ Association since November 9 last year. The staff were demanding that VC Arunabha Basumajumdar implement resolutions passed by the previous Executive Council on March 22 regarding their promotion and revision of salaries and recruitment of kin those who died in harness. They also sought action against the VC for allegedly indulging in financial irregularities.

The team has also asked the VC to come clean on the charges of corruption.

“There have been certain charges of administrative and financial irregularities. We have asked the VC to answer certain queries and he will furnish us with his replies soon,” said Marjit.

Sarkar said Basumajumdar had been directed to look into the employees’ demands for pay revision and promotion. “All issues placed before us can be solved. While some can be done immediately, others need time. We have directed the VC to implement the resolutions taken by the EC in favour of the employees,” he said.

The employees were, however, adamant on their stand of removing Basumajumdar.

“We still demand that the VC be removed. As long as he is here, the crisis will remain. We will wait till the end of this month to see if the EC resolutions are fulfilled. If not, we will re-launch our agitation,” said D.P. Boot, the association’s secretary.