No NBU land will be handed over to Tourism Dept: WB Education Minister

West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu said as far I know, no varsity land will be handed over to any private entity. The tourism department will also look elsewhere for land.

West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu has clarified that no land of North Bengal University will be handed over to the state tourism department or to any private agency, moments after he faced protests on the varsity campus, The Telegraph reported. 

Over the past few weeks, a number of faculty members, students, employees and alumni have been organising demonstrations at NBU, alleging that varsity authorities were trying to hand over five acres to the tourism department under the pretext of building an institute for courses on hospitality and tourism but which would go to a private party. 

On Wednesday, when the minister reached NBU, he faced protesters holding posters and raising slogans. Basu said the decision to handover land to the tourism department was made in the state cabinet on September 19 this year. “But as far I know, no varsity land will be handed over to any private entity. The tourism department will also look elsewhere for land. The cabinet, I believe, will ratify the decision in due course,” he said. 

“The institution (for hotel management, tourism and other courses) will definitely come up in north Bengal. I cannot, however, comment on it further. The tourism department can only elaborate on it,” he added. 

Will withdraw stir only after confirmation from VC: NBU Teachers’ Council 

Samar Biswas, president of the NBU Teachers’ Council, however, said they will continue the protests. “We will withdraw our protests only after the vice-chancellor (Om Prakash Mishra) convenes a meeting of the executive council and confirms that no varsity land will be handed over. He should come up with a written statement,” said Biswas. 

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