Bengal clears bill to replace Governor as Chancellor of Universities

• What: The West Bengal assembly today cleared a bill that replaces the Governor as the Chancellor of all state universities in Bengal.

• Why: The move had earlier been cleared by the state Cabinet in the backdrop of Governor Jadgeep Dhankhar's clash with the state government over appointments of vice-chancellors across universities.

• Process: BJP legislators protested but just 40 votes were polled against the bill and 183 were in favour.

• Additional context: Last month Tamil Nadu had passed a bill empowering the state government to take over the Governor's power of appointing vice-chancellors to universities.