West Bengal university teachers accuse state govt of diluting pension benefits through ‘back-door’ changes

University teachers’ associations in West Bengal accused the state government of attempting to dilute pension and retirement benefits through what they called “back-door” administrative changes. Additionally, the teachers also pointed out that 11 universities in West Bengal currently do not have a vice-chancellor.

In a joint statement, the teachers associations opposed the move, saying it would undermine university autonomy and violate the service conditions under which faculty and staff were appointed.

Multiple teachers’ bodies said that the proposed changes would deprive teachers, non-teaching staff of pension, gratuity, and leave encashment after decades of service, despite rules that guaranteed benefits under the existing guidelines.

“Many teachers chose the University as their workplace- despite having better career opportunities- specifically for the security of a pension and other post-retirement benefits. If rules are suddenly altered now to interfere with those rights, we will face tremendous professional troubles,” they said.

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Proposed changes by WB govt

As per the rules, pension, gratuity, and leave encashment are approved and initiated on time according to each University's own statutes immediately after retirement. However, the proposed system states that only 75% of the total pension payment will be provided as "provisional" and there is no clarity on the remaining 25%.

Highlighting this ambiguity, the teachers said: “Will the remaining 25% depend on the Government's charity, or their whims? Or, will it not be paid at all? Regarding Gratuity, it is being suggested that only three-fourth of the due amount will be paid. What about the remaining quarter? Who will pay it, how, and under what conditions? Nothing has been clarified.”

They alleged that “someone else” is attempting to misappropriate their hard-earned money. Similarly, approval for Leave Encashment must now be sought from the Government.

Condemning the “back-door tactics”, the teachers bodies alleged that the government plans to centralise pension disbursement through the Directorate of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance (DPPG), even though universities have regulations that are not identical.

It also expressed apprehension that the new generation of meritorious students and researchers will lose the motivation to enter this profession, especially since pay scales are already lower compared to central frameworks.

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Demands of West Bengal university teachers

The teacher associations placed a set of demands before the state government, including immediate withdrawal of the proposed guidelines to route university pension through DPPG. They demanded that their retirement benefits be paid in full at the time of superannuation, with no deduction, and said the Supreme Court observations on gratuity issued in 2025 should be upheld.

Additionally, the teachers highlighted that 11 universities in the state are functioning without vice-chancellors and demanded immediate appointments to resolve administrative paralysis.

A joint press statement dated January 6, was issued by teachers associations such as Jadavpur University Teachers’ Association (JUTA), Calcutta University Teachers’ Association (CUTA), and West Bengal College and University Teachers’ Association (WBCUTA), and faculty members of Presidency University, University of Kalyani, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology (MAKAUT).