Jadavpur University Registrar Seeks Opinion on Vice-Chancellor's Special Allowance Amid Absence

Buddhadeb Sau, who has not visited the vice-chancellor's office since December 27, has received a letter from the registrar of Jadavpur University asking for his thoughts on the special allowance he is still receiving "in the capacity of the vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University."

Sau was not utilizing the university vehicle designated for a VC, according to the letter.

"Prof Buddhadeb Sau" has "neither signed as an officiating/ad hoc vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University nor presided over any meeting or taken a decision in the capacity of officiating /ad hoc vice-chancellor of Jadavpur University," according to Registrar Snehamanju Basu's letter.

In addition to his income, the institution provides Sau with a special payment of Rs 11,000 every month.

A VC receives additional allowances and transportation benefits in addition to their regular income as faculty members at any state-aided university.

In August 2023, the governor—who also serves as the ex-officio chancellor of state-aided universities—appointed Sau as an authorized VC.

Disregarding the chancellor's advice, Sau was told by the governor to stop serving as the university's officiating vice chancellor on December 23 when he presided over the annual convocation.

Since then, the state education agency has twice made it clear—on December 24 and January 8—that Sau is still permitted to carry out VC's responsibilities.

However, Sau has avoided taking office. He justified his decision by pointing to the uncertainty created by the conflicting communications and a lawsuit that is currently before the Supreme Court.

The state has filed a special leave petition before the supreme court, contesting the chancellor's right to designate officiating virtual chairs (VCs) without first contacting the education department.

According to Registrar Basu, during the February 20 finance committee meeting, there was a discussion on Sau's eligibility for the special allowance in light of his absence from the VC's office.

According to Basu, "the communication was sent after what the committee resolved," The Telegraph was informed.

Sau, a math department instructor, responded to the registrar via email on Friday. The institution should contact the "judiciary to remove the confusion and impasse," according to Sau's "suggestions."

He has also accused the registrar and several teachers of adding to the confusion around his continued status as the VC.

According to Sau's letter, on December 24, the university court acknowledged him as the VC in charge.

The yearly convocation was so conducted on December 24, 2023. In spite of this, some university instructors are unsure on what to do. They requested that you reveal the identity of the vice-chancellor on December 28, 2023. Sau said, "You had asked the department of higher education without informing the vice-chancellor, instead of providing appropriate answers to this section of the teachers."

On December 28, Registrar Basu wrote to the department inquiring as to who possessed the power to give administrative consent because certain officials and teachers had requested that she reveal the name of the VC after Sau had been fired by the chancellor.

According to Sau's writing, "I, as a professor at this university, should not comment on the vice-chancellor's allowance or doable under this situation. Please take note that any reimbursement could depend on the court's decision or order being available. The Act and the Law of the Land apply to everyone.

When this newspaper reached out to Sau, he refused to comment.

"We will take legal opinion regarding the response," stated Registrar Basu.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Press Time staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.