WB Guv says education system in state 'politically caged'

education system in West Bengal is "politicaly cd", an anguished Goverr Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Thursday, a day after vice-chancellors of state's 23 universities did t attend a virtual meet called by him to discuss acemic situation amid COVID-19 outbreak.

Dhankhar told a press conference he will seek an explanation from truant VCs for igring his letter calling meeting. Only one vice chancellor h attended virtual conference with goverr who is also chancellor of state universities.

Dhankhar told reporters he will also ask VCs, who were absent, about acemic problems being faced by students because of outbreak of disease.

"I find re is tightening of this political c in education scenario in West Bengal," he said, apparently referring to most VCs staying away from meeting.

"I wanted to fathom problems universities and colleges are facing by calling a virtual meeting of VCs which y opposed tooth and nail for reasons kwn to all," he said.

Amid frequent run-ins with goverr, West Bengal government recently amended relevant rules relating to powers of goverr as chancellor of universities.

he new rules have vastly reduced goverr's role in functioning of universities.

Under fresh set of rules, all communications between goverr and universities have to be routed through higher education department.