Kolkata, Oct. 16 -- The Calcutta High Court has reportedly quashed Chhatrapati Dutta's appointment as principal of the Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata, holding that the state cannot bypass mandatory University Grants Commission (UGC) qualifications by creating an alternative eligibility route for eminent artists.
Justice Rai Chattopadhyay, allowing a petition by Amalaksha Jana and others, issued a writ of quo warranto declaring that Dutta had no lawful authority to continue in the post. The court set aside the Public Service Commission's recommendation and the appointment notification dated April 24, 2017, insofar as they concerned Dutta.
The dispute arose from a recruitment advertisement that offered an alternative route for traditional or professional artists with distinguished achievements. The petitioners challenged this provision, arguing that it was inconsistent with the UGC Regulations, 2010. The court held that the state could frame recruitment rules but could not dilute binding national standards governing appointments in higher education.
The court directed the state and the competent appointing authority to take immediate steps to stop Dutta from discharging the principal's duties under the impugned appointment. It also ordered interim administrative arrangements until a duly eligible candidate is selected and appointed.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.