Image Credit: President's Secretariat
President Rejects Bengal Bill on CM as Chancellor
President Droupadi Murmu has declined to give assent to a bill passed by the West Bengal Assembly that sought to make the Chief Minister the Chancellor of state-run universities, replacing the Governor. The decision effectively stalls the state government’s move to overhaul the governance structure of higher education institutions in West Bengal.
The bill, passed earlier by the Assembly, proposed transferring the role of Chancellor from the Governor to the Chief Minister, arguing that it would improve coordination between the state government and universities. However, the Centre and the Governor had raised concerns over constitutional propriety and the concentration of powers.
Centre Raises Constitutional Concerns
Officials familiar with the matter said the President’s decision was based on constitutional and legal considerations. Under existing norms, the Governor functions as the Chancellor of state universities, a role seen as providing an independent check on the executive. Concerns were raised that appointing the Chief Minister as Chancellor could blur the separation between the government and autonomous academic institutions.
The Governor had earlier returned the bill to the state government for reconsideration, citing similar objections. After it was re-sent to the Centre, the President withheld assent.
Political Reactions in West Bengal
The West Bengal government expressed disappointment over the decision, maintaining that the bill was intended to reduce delays in administrative decisions and improve accountability in universities. Ruling party leaders accused the Centre of interfering in matters related to education, which is a concurrent subject under the Constitution.
Opposition parties, however, welcomed the President’s decision, arguing that allowing the Chief Minister to act as Chancellor would undermine institutional independence and politicise higher education.
What Lies Ahead
With the President refusing assent, the bill cannot become law in its current form. The state government may choose to revise the legislation, seek judicial clarity, or explore alternative administrative mechanisms within the existing legal framework.
