No Finance Officer at Jadavpur University — Jadavpur University (JU), one of West Bengal’s premier academic institutions, has been functioning without a finance officer since Monday, June 17, severely disrupting daily financial and administrative operations. The acting finance officer, whose term ended last Friday, has not been reappointed or replaced, stalling routine tasks and raising serious concerns among faculty and staff.
Administrative Work Comes to a Standstill
Essential administrative activities that require the finance officer’s signature and supervision have come to a halt. Several files, including those related to grants, employee reimbursements, and vendor payments, are pending clearance.
Departments have reported an inability to move forward with:
- Fund disbursement from academic projects
- Salary and pension approvals
- Payments to suppliers and external agencies
- Budget processing for new research initiatives
This paralysis has not only created uncertainty but also affected the morale of both administrative staff and faculty members.
University Teachers’ Association Criticizes Delay
The Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association (JUTA) has expressed deep concern and frustration over the issue. According to its general secretary, the absence of a finance officer, even for a single day, could significantly hamper the university’s functioning.
“The post of finance officer is not ceremonial. Without statutory signatures, no financial transaction can be approved. If left unaddressed, JU may even have to cease functioning temporarily,” stated JUTA’s general secretary.
JUTA has also alleged that the delay was not accidental but the result of deliberate administrative negligence. The association warned that if the matter is not resolved within the current week, faculty and staff will launch a protest starting Monday.
Disparity in Extension Process Sparks Questions
Interestingly, while the tenure of the acting registrar was extended seamlessly around the same time, no such step was taken to ensure continuity in the finance office. This discrepancy has raised questions about procedural transparency and whether internal bureaucracy is impeding essential decision-making.
University insiders revealed that JU had submitted a request for the extension of the finance officer’s tenure before the deadline, but no action was taken by the relevant authorities. Meanwhile, the acting registrar’s extension went through without any delay, reflecting inconsistent treatment of equally critical posts.
State Higher Education Department Seeks Clarification
In response to the growing criticism, the West Bengal Higher Education Department has sought a formal explanation from the university. The department has asked JU to provide:
- Confirmation on whether the outgoing finance officer is willing to continue
- A summary of the officer’s current service status and retirement schedule
- Names of other eligible senior officers for appointment, if needed
According to university sources, JU has already responded to these queries and is awaiting approval to either reappoint the same officer or bring in a successor.
Fear of Financial Mismanagement and Institutional Crisis
The vacant finance officer post poses several critical risks to Jadavpur University:
- Inability to meet payroll timelines
- Delays in distributing research and infrastructure grants
- Suspension of scholarship and fellowship payments
- Legal liability from non-payment to vendors or breach of government compliance
JUTA warned that any further delay could create an “institutional breakdown” and damage JU’s academic and administrative reputation.
Protest Plans if Situation Remains Unresolved
If no finance officer is appointed by the end of the week, JUTA has confirmed it will begin campus-wide protests starting Monday. These may include:
- Sit-ins outside administrative offices
- Boycotts of official meetings
- Outreach to alumni and media to raise awareness
The association emphasized that the aim is not confrontation, but resolution. However, they remain firm that the university cannot be allowed to operate in such a precarious state.
What’s Next: Possibility of Interim Appointment
Discussions are ongoing within the state education department to make an interim appointment if the original finance officer cannot continue. The university has proposed several senior staff who could temporarily take charge while the appointment process concludes.
Both the department and the university administration have assured that steps will be taken urgently to resolve the issue, but as of now, operations remain stalled.
No Finance Officer at Jadavpur University: Conclusion
Jadavpur University’s ongoing administrative crisis underscores the importance of strong and uninterrupted institutional leadership. As the situation drags into its third day without a finance officer, the impact is being felt across departments—from grant processing to daily payments.
Unless prompt action is taken, the reputation and functionality of one of India’s most respected academic institutions could be seriously affected. Faculty groups have given the administration a clear deadline, and all eyes are now on how swiftly the state and university respond to avert further disruption.
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