Gour Banga VC steps down

MALDA: Unable to withstand mounting pressure from several quarters, University of Gour Banga vice-chancellor Achintya Biswas on Wednesday tendered his resignation. His resignation has been accepted, according to sources in the higher education department.
It may be recalled that the VC remained absent from the university since May 6 owing to health reasons.At the end of June, the state government assigned senior Bengali teacher Bikash Roy with the charge of the VC. But on July 2, Biswas returned to Malda, only to go back to Kolkata two days later.
Apart from his prolonged absence from the university, Biswas was embroiled in a series of controversies during his tenure. Members of the University Council (UC), the apex body of the varsity, have time and again accused him of taking major decisions, keeping them in dark and violating the University Act, 2007.
UC members had submitted a complaint against the VC to the governor. Besides, Trinamool Congress-backed students’ union and even teachers staged agitations against him.
On the face of such criticism, the VC tendered his resignation on September 13. Biswas said, “Owing to my ailing health it was impossible for me to stay in Malda and run the university. Thus I wished to resign on July 11, but that was not accepted by the governor. But this time, my resignation was accepted and I’m thankful to the governor.”