The attorney-general, representing the Bengal governor, told the Supreme Court on Tuesday that six vacancies for vice-chancellors will be filled by appointing candidates from a list recommended by the state government.
The attorney-general made the submission while the apex court was hearing the state government’s challenge to the governor’s powers in appointing an interim VC bypassing the higher education department.
An order signed by a division bench of the Supreme Court said: “Learned Attorney General, at the outset, points out that six vacancies of Vice-Chancellors will be filled up by appointing the candidates out of the list recommended by the State Government. In the interest of educational institutions, let the needful be done within a week. The State Government may, meanwhile, send some more names for the remaining vacancies.”
The court will hear the case next on April 30.
The governor is the ex-officio chancellor of state-aided universities.
An official of the department said the six universities where the vacancies would have to be filled up include Jadavpur University, Gour Banga University, Darjeeling Hills University, Rani Rashmoni Green University, Harichand Guruchand University and Sadhu Ram Chand Murmu University of Jhargram.