Kolkata/IBNS/UNI: A division bench of Calcutta High Court on Wednesday pronounced that there is legality in the orders, issued by West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, appointing interim vice-chancellors in 11 state-sponsored universities across the state.

The court opined that in the capacity of the ex-officio chancellor of these institutions, the Governor has the authority to appoint the vice-chancellors as rules are laid down in the enactments.

The West Bengal Government had challenged the order of Bose appointing the vice-chancellors in 11 universities, stating that it was illegal as the higher education department was not consulted by the Governor before giving such appointments.

The double bench, headed by Chief Justice T. S. Sivagnanam and Ajoy Kumar Gupta, also ordered the government to disburse salaries along with arrears to the petitioners, who filed the PIL challenging the government order.

The universities where new VSc have been appointed include- Calcutta University, Jadavpur University, Kalyani University, Burdwan University, Sanskrit University, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Kazi Nazrul University, Bankura University, Babasaheb Ambedkar Education University, Diamond Harbour Womens University, and South Dinajpur University.