No plans to shut West Bengal schools, colleges: Government

With the positivity rate going up to 16.92 per cent, West Bengal reported 2,950 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. Three more people died in the state, while active cases rose to 18,856, as per the Health Department.

Amid the rising cases of the novel coronavirus, the West Bengal government has decided not to close schools and colleges immediately. Speaking to reporters, West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu said a decision on this will be taken on the advice of the Health Department. The authorities have decided to work on the advice of the Health Department.

On the long-pending students' union elections in the colleges and universities, Basu said the government wants to conduct it at the earliest, as per Times Now report. We are watching the emerging COVID-19 situation. A decision will be taken on the union polls based on it, he said.

With the positivity rate going up to 16.92 per cent, West Bengal reported 2,950 new COVID-19 cases on Friday. Three more people died in the state, while active cases rose to 18,856, as per the Health Department.

Strict action against school, college teachers to render private tuitions

Basu warned school and college teachers who provide private tuition of strict action. The minister was speaking at a programme in which two TMC-backed teachers’ organisations joined hands to resolve academic issues.

All Bengal State Government College Teachers' Association and West Bengal College and University Professors' Association came together to work for the interest of the teaching community, their leaders said.

The government was committed to ensuring that teachers of colleges and universities get their dues and their careers progress, the minister said.

He said he would be available for two hours at the TMC headquarters every Friday to interact with teachers and address their problems.

On BJP leader Dilip Ghosh daring the state government to arrest him for his comments on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Basu said, "The TMC government does not believe in the politics of imprisoning people."

"He made very objectionable remarks. We were hurt by his comments and wanted him to apologise. Instead, he is bragging that he is ready to be arrested. This is unbecoming of a senior political leader," the minister said.

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