Kolkata, Dec 16 (IANS) The West Bengal government on Friday deferred the tabling of the West Bengal Universities and Colleges (Administration and Regulation) Bill in the state legislature amid demands for further scrutiny.
The decision was welcomed by the Opposition.
The bill seeks to improve the functioning of universities and colleges but a section of activists and teachers allege the resolution would enable control by the state government in the institution's internal administration and erode the universities' autonomy.
State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said the decision was taken due to opposition's request for more time to go through the contents.
"There was a lot of debate surrounding the bill. The Opposition needs more time. But we will table it as early as possible," he said.
Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan, of the Congress, welcomed the deferment saying the state government acknowledged public's concerns.
"This is a victory of people. We express gratitude to the state government because they accepted our demand which reflected the people's views. We welcome this," he said.
Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Sujan Chakraborti dubbed the bill as "a black bill" and "dangerous."
"The state government had to go back on this. This is dangerous - state control in education," he said.
