The West Bengal Higher Education Department has provided a crucial breather to state universities, granting them a relaxation until June 30 to sanction retirement benefits and pensions directly. This move temporarily halts a plan to route all such payments through the centralized Directorate of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance (DPPG).
Teachers' Bodies Unite Against "Attack on Autonomy"
At a joint press conference held on Tuesday, multiple teachers' associations voiced strong opposition to the proposed centralization of pension disbursement. They have labeled the move to channel funds through the DPPG as a direct "attack on the autonomy" of educational institutions. The educators argue that the existing system, where universities handle the process, is efficient and upholds the statutory authority granted to them.
Historical Provision, Sudden Enforcement Raises Questions
A senior teacher from Presidency University provided historical context, noting that the DPPG provision was originally introduced back in 2000 during the Left Front government's tenure. However, it was never implemented on the ground. "Why is the current government enforcing it now?" the teacher questioned. "This is an unnecessary bureaucratic intervention. We trust the Chief Minister and the Education Minister to uphold university autonomy and retain the pension settlement authority with the university itself."
Calls for Permanent Decentralization and Review Committee
Partha Pratim Ray, the General Secretary of the Jadavpur University Teachers' Association (JUTA), clarified the teachers' stance. He stated that while the relaxation until June 30 is acknowledged, the ultimate demand is for universities to permanently remain the sanctioning authority as per their statutes, ensuring employees receive their rightful benefits without delay.
Echoing the need for a pragmatic solution, a teacher from Calcutta University suggested that "a committee may be formed to review the implementation challenges" associated with the DPPG system. This indicates a preference for a consultative approach to address any genuine administrative hurdles, rather than a top-down enforcement of the old provision.
The temporary relief has set the stage for further discussions between the state government and university stakeholders. The core issue remains a tussle between administrative centralization for purported efficiency and the cherished autonomy of higher educational institutions in West Bengal.
