State ends controller’s tenure at Kanyashree University

Barely a month before the completion of his tenure, the former Controller of Examinations of Kanyashree University was removed from service ~ a move that has now snowballed into a serious controversy, with the ousted official levelling a barrage of allegations against the university’s present Vice-Chancellor.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Dr Bishwajit Datta, whose tenure as Controller was terminated just a month before its scheduled completion, alleged that his removal was “arbitrary, humiliating and without due process”. He claimed that since the current Vice-Chancellor assumed charge, the women’s university ~ envisaged as a flagship initiative to promote higher education and self-reliance among women ~ has witnessed a steady erosion of administrative discipline and academic standards.

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Dr Datta alleged that student enrolment across several academic programmes has declined sharply in recent years, while the admission process itself has been marred by irregularities. According to him, constitutionally mandated reservation norms for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes were violated during admissions, compelling the state Backward Classes Welfare department to issue show-cause notices to the university on two occasions.

He further alleged that the Vice-Chancellor had bypassed the state’s centralised, merit-based admission system and instead introduced a first-come, first-served mechanism. Such a move, he claimed, undermined transparency and deprived meritorious candidates of a fair opportunity.

The former Controller also raised grave concerns over faculty recruitment, alleging nepotism and corruption in appointments. He claimed that norms prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the state higher education department were ignored, once again inviting show-cause notices from the Backward Classes Welfare Department.

On the financial front, Dr Datta stated that a complaint alleging monetary irregularities against the Vice-Chancellor has been submitted to the state vigilance authorities. However, he refrained from divulging details, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

He also expressed concern over the withdrawal of student-support initiatives that were previously in place, including free NET coaching classes and a dedicated library for women students. Both facilities, he alleged, were discontinued after the change in leadership.

Terming his termination “baseless”, Datta said the dismissal letter falsely claimed that he had failed to respond to several notices and show-cause letters. “I never received any such communication,” he asserted, adding that he would approach the higher education department and seek judicial intervention if necessary.

Referring to his long academic career, Datta pointed out that he had served at North Bengal University for several years without a single adverse remark.

Responding to the allegations, Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr) Tapati Chakraborty dismissed them as “entirely false and motivated”. She alleged that Dr Datta’s services were terminated following repeated instances of insubordination, misconduct and wilful disobedience of lawful instructions.

“Within ten days of his joining, I noticed an unwarranted arrogance in his behaviour,” Prof. Chakraborty said. “There was a clear lack of protocol and decorum. He behaved discourteously with the Registrar, and despite that, no immediate action was taken.”

Prof. Chakraborty also claimed that she later became aware that Dr Datta had earlier been suspended at North Bengal University before retiring from there.

In response to this allegation, Dr Datta, said: “Does she has any proof about my suspension that she levelled against me? I will go against her in court”.