Jadavpur University teachers oppose West Bengal Bill on inter-university staff transfers
Jadavpur University Teachers' Association (JUTA) on Tuesday (September 8, 2026) voiced strong opposition to the West Bengal government's plan to introduce a Bill in the state Assembly that would allow the transfer of teaching and non-teaching staff across public universities. The association termed the proposal an attack on the autonomy and self-reliance of higher education institutions.
The Bill is set to be tabled during a one-day special sitting of the Assembly on September 10. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced the move on Monday, stating that the legislation would facilitate inter-university transfers of both teaching and non-teaching employees. According to Adhikari, the measure aims to bring uniformity and better resource management across state-run universities.
However, JUTA, in a statement, rejected the proposal, asserting that every university has its own statutes, operational procedures, and service conditions. The teachers' body argued that appointments are made in accordance with each institution's specific rules, and forcing employees to work under a new set of conditions would be contrary to natural justice.
“It is a direct attack on the self-reliance of universities and the job security of employees,” JUTA's statement said. The association also raised concerns about whether the proposed law could be used to penalise those who criticise government policies. By centralising the university system, the state government risks weakening institutional autonomy, which is contrary to the basic principles laid down by the University Grants Commission (UGC), it added.
JUTA further noted that no comparable transfer model exists in any other state, at the central level, or overseas. The teaching faculty's role is vital for maintaining the excellence of higher education institutions, the association said, and any new conditions that amend existing employment terms should not be imposed unilaterally.
The stated stand of JUTA comes amid broader debates over the independence of universities in India. While the government has yet to release the full details of the Bill, the move is expected to be discussed during the special Assembly session. University teachers and staff across West Bengal have been watching the developments closely, with many calling for prior consultation before any legislation is passed.
Efforts to reach the state government for comment were not immediately successful. The government had, however, defended its earlier education policies as steps towards modernisation and efficiency. This particular Bill, if passed, would mark a significant change in the way public universities in West Bengal have functioned so far.
