West Bengal Seeks Bank Statements from Aided Colleges, Sparks Autonomy Concerns

Speedy Summary

• Teh West Bengal government has directed all state government-aided colleges (around 450 institutions) to provide details of their bank accounts and fixed deposits via the newly introduced Fund data System (FIS), mandatory for financial year 2025-26.
• The Higher Education Department communicated that providing these details is essential for receiving state financial assistance.
• Colleges have expressed concerns about potential loss of autonomy, fearing that their funds may be appropriated by the government.
• Ishita Mukhopadhyay, an economics professor at the University of Calcutta, criticized this move as an attack on the financial and academic autonomy of educational institutions, stating it would worsen already constrained funding in education and research sectors.
• An unnamed Associate Professor raised concerns about how tuition fee collections are already shared with the state government and warned that fixed deposit and bank balances meant for institutional development could also be affected under this new directive.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The West Bengal government’s implementation of FIS to ensure clarity in fund usage has sparked resistance among educational institutions due to fears over autonomy and resource allocation. While ensuring proper regulation might address accountability issues, educational institutes argue it undermines their independence in managing long-term pooled resources like fixed deposits necessary for infrastructure or student-related projects. This friction underscores a broader tension between centralized financial governance by states versus institutional self-reliance, notably critical as higher education grapples with funding challenges nationwide. A balanced dialog engaging all stakeholders-government bodies, educators, and administrative representatives-may be required to preclude prolonged disruptions in academic operations or strain on student welfare.

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