It is now expected that Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam may hear both matters together on Thursday. According to sources in the health department, the Chief Minister recently announced a Rs 2 crore allocation per college for the development of cultural infrastructure in 24 medical colleges.
Kolkata: The West Bengal government has allocated Rs 2 crore to each medical college for their annual fest. However, concerns have been raised that this money might be misused.
A petition has been filed in the Calcutta High Court, expressing fears that “the kingpins of threat culture” may take advantage of these funds.
The matter was taken to court after receiving permission to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The case was heard in the Chief Justice’s court. Earlier, a separate case had been filed demanding student union elections in medical colleges.
It is now expected that Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam may hear both matters together on Thursday. According to sources in the health department, the Chief Minister recently announced a Rs 2 crore allocation per college for the development of cultural infrastructure in 24 medical colleges.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer drew attention to the bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chattopadhyay Dutta, stating:
“The student union election matter is pending. And yesterday the government announced that 10 crore rupees will be given for the fest in the college. The public interest litigation is concerned that this money will be misused by the kingpins of the threat culture.”
Hearing this, Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam appeared surprised and asked, “10 crores?“
The petitioner’s lawyer clarified, “2 crores per college. This money will be misused by the kingpins of threat culture. Since there is no elected student union in those colleges yet.”
Following this exchange, the Chief Justice directed that a case be filed.
The Chief Minister had earlier announced a grant of Rs 2 crore per medical college to support their annual cultural functions. However, the absence of elected student unions in these institutions has raised concerns about potential fund misuse. The PIL aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation and utilization of these funds.
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The court is set to hera the matter, where both the PIL regarding the fest funds and the demand for student union elections are likely to be discussed together.
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