The West Bengal cabinet approved the proposal to make Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Chancellor of all state-run universities and replace Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar.
An official said the cabinet has also approved another proposal to remove the Governor from the post of Visitor to private universities. The state education minister is suggested for the role.
The Chancellor is the prime decision-maker in the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor. The visitor has the power to demand any information related to the internal matters of the institutes.
The proposal will be introduced as a bill in the assembly in the monsoon session starting on June 10. If the bill is passed, the CM will be the head of all state-run universities including agricultural and health varsities. The Bill needs the affirmation of the Governor to get implemented and become an act.
The development comes allegedly after a clash between the Banerjee-led state government and Governor Jagdeep Dhankar over the appointment of Vice-Chancellors across universities. The rift began when the Governor alleged that the state government appointed vice-chancellors of 24 universities without his consent.