The Higher Education Department of Government of West Bengal had called for a State Level Convention of all College and University Teachers in West Bengal at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata on Jan 7, 2017. Ms.Monisha Hembram, Ms.Moushakhi Ray, Mr.Joyesh Rajguru and Mr.Shomik Saha, Assistant Professors at Salesian College,Siliguri Campus attended the meeting. Almost 20000 Teachers for different Colleges and Universities attended the meeting. The meeting started with the speech of Mr.Vivek Kumar, Secretary of the Higher Education Department, Government of West Bengal, followed by speech by Mrs.Anuradha Lohia, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Presidency University.The Chief Guest of the convention was the Hon�ble Chief Minister of West Bengal, Smt.Mamata Banerjee.In her speech,she announced the establishment of Biswa Bangla University at Bolpur, which is home to one of India's oldest Vishwa Bharati University established by noble laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Smt.Mamata Banerjee announced that land has already been marked for the University. The West Bengal Chief Minister announced that the age of retirement for the both university and College teachers in the State would be increased to 62 years, LTC travel scheme would be open to the teachers as well and the teachers would be brought under the ambit of health insurance as well.She also vowed that the vacant seats in teacher's posts would be filled up within six months. She added that for part-time and other contractual staff of all government-aided colleges and universities, Swasthya Sathi scheme would be launched under which they would get medical insurance up to Rs 5 lakh, she said. Banerjee also announced Leave Travel Concession (LTC) for the teachers with 10 years of experience within India, while those with 20 years of experience will get an LTC within India and another LTC abroad. The Full Time Teachers of State Universities and Colleges shall be entitled to 24 months of full paid Research Study leave, once in their career,of which 30 days can be availed at a time. She also announced an extended medical and Child care leaves for the Full Time Teachers of State Universities and Colleges in West Bengal.

Reported by:
Shomik Saha
SCSC