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Seminar
on ‘Industrial Development vis-à-vis Agricultural Development
in West Bengal’
Date:
16.05.2007
Venue:
Kala Kunj, Kolkata
The
premier Open University in eastern India, Netaji Subhas Open University
organized a seminar on ‘Industrial Development vis-à-vis
Agricultural Development in West Bengal’ at Kala Kunj, Kolkata on
16 May, 2007. Shri Nirupam Sen, Minister-in-charge, Department of Commerce
and Industries, Government of West Bengal inaugurated the Seminar and
delivered the keynote address. Shri Narendra Nath Dey, Minister-in-charge,
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Government of West Bengal
was present as Chief Guest and addressed the Seminar. Shri Samir Kumar
Ghosh, former President, BNCCI and Vice-Chairman, EDI and Managing Director,
Indian Potteries Ltd. was present as Guest-of-Honour and also addressed
the gathering.
Welcoming
the distinguished gathering, Professor Surabhi Banerjee, Vice-Chancellor,
Netaji Subhas Open University said that the Seminar was the latest in
a series of seminars and lectures organized by the University all through
the year in its continuous effort to offer a forum and create a wider
awareness of the critical issues now confronting civil society by initiating
discussion and exchange of views. Drawing attention to the crucial importance
of the subject, Professor Banerjee pointed out that it involved several
imperatives, the socio-economic dynamics of which must be taken into account
by the State as it forged ahead because development brooked no delay in
the emerging knowledge era.
Shri
Nirupam Sen, Minister-in-charge, Department of Commerce and Industries,
Government of West Bengal, who delivered the keynote address, unfolded
the industrial vision of the State which naturally, inevitably evolved
from the major agricultural strides taken in the last 25 years. There
is no conflict between agriculture and industry which basically supplement
each other, asserted Shri Sen. Radical land reforms formed the bedrock
of agricultural prosperity and increased purchasing capacity of the rural
masses releasing new productive forces now waiting impatiently to be absorbed
in greenfield, modern industries without which progress in the 21st Century
would be impossible. Indeed West Bengal was no exception to the pattern
witnessed everywhere since the Industrial Revolution. In West Bengal which
leads the country in agricultural productivity and skilled, educated human
resources, agriculture has been developed almost to the furthest extent
possible in terms of income and employment generation and rapid industrialization
is the next logical step to take in order to reap the advantages available
as a result of sustained, high octane performance in agriculture, further
improve the standards of living, generate employment and scale new heights
in economic development. Indeed, the gains of sustained agricultural prosperity
would be frittered away if West Bengal failed to cash in on the tremendous
opportunities coming its way as it is increasingly emerging as a global
investment destination.
Shri
Narendra Nath Dey, Minister-in-charge, Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Affairs, Government of West Bengal who was Chief Guest and spoke next,
also stressed the home truth that agricultural development and industrial
progress supplement and sustain one another. There is room enough for
both in the State and the relationship between the true, far from being
antagonistic, is basically complementary. Shri Dey went on to remind the
audience that agricultural backwardness and not agriculture, stands in
the way of industry. The main reason why the State is now poised to emerge
as a powerhouse of industry is that it has already become a powerhouse
of agriculture. The State has 1 crore 30 lac acres of agricultural land
and only 1 lac 50 thousand acres will be needed for industrialization.
Shri
Samir Kumar Ghosh, former President, BNCCI and Vice-Chairman, EDI and
Managing Director, Indian Potteries Ltd. who was Guest-of-Honour, concurred
with the views expressed. Opportunities do not come knocking twice, he
reminded the audience and said that rapid industrialization with a human
face was what the State needed at this hours to stay in the forefront
of economic development.
Professor
M. Dasgupta, Executive Officer, School of Science, Netaji Subhas Open
University proposed a vote of thanks.
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Foundation
Stone Laying Ceremony of the Urban Campus of Netaji Subhas Open University
at Salt Lake
Date:
08.05.2007
Venue:
Urban Campus, Salt Lake
Netaji
Subhas Open University, the premier State Open University in East India
has recorded a stunningly prodigious growth in the enrolment of students
from all cross-sections aspiring for access to higher education. Currently
one hundred thousand students are enrolled at one hundred and fifty study
centres across West Bengal pursuing a variety of conventional, vocational,
technical and skill-oriented courses in undergraduate and postgraduate
programmes the total number of which is seventy. In recognition of its
path-breaking initiatives in Open and Distance Learning, the University
has recently been awarded the most prestigious international award—the
Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Excellence in Distance Education Award
(EDEA-2006) for Institutional Achievement by the Commonwealth of Learning
(COL), Vancouver, Canada.
Shri
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Government of West
Bengal has allotted a plot of land to Netaji Subhas Open University at
Plot No. 26, Block – DD, Sector – I, Bidhannagar, Kolkata
– 700 064.
In
the said land we shall have our long cherished ICT-enabled Urban Campus
of the University with a technically modern and sophisticated research
laboratory on information technology, an effective developing centre on
vocational courses, a digital studio and an electronic media production
centre with all facilities of Video and Tele-conferencing.
Shri
Ashok Bhattacharya, Hon’ble Minister, Department of Municipal Affairs
& Urban Development, Government of West Bengal will lay the Foundation
Stone of the Urban Campus of the university at this plot of land at Salt
Lake on 8 May 2007 at 10.30 am.
Dr.
Biswajiban Majumder, Chairman, Bidhannagar Municipality will grace the
Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of the Urban Campus of Netaji Subhas
Open University as the Chief Guest.
Shri
Asok Mohan Chakrabarti, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of
West Bengal, Higher Education and Science & Technology Departments
would also remain present as esteemed Guest-of-Honour.
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The
Fifth Convocation
Date:
19.04.2007
Venue:
Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata
The
fifth convocation of Netaji Subhas Open University was held on April 19,
2007 at Rabindra Sadan, Kolkata. This is a historic moment of the University
when Dr. Raymond Sorrel Suttner, Walter & Albertina Sisulu Knowledge
and Heritage Unit, School of Graduate studies, College of Human Science,
University of South Africa and Mr. Noah A. Samara, Chairman & CEO,
WorldSpace Satellite Radio were present at the convocation. Sri Gopalkrishna
Gandhi, Governor of West Bengal and Chancellor, Netaji Subhas Open University
presided over the convocation and gave the presidential address.
Delivering the Welcome address, Prof. Surabhi Banerjee, Vice-Chancellor,
Netaji Subhas Open University highlighted the academic and administrative
activities of the University of the last calendar year. She briefly recounted
the remarkable growth of the University over the last five eventful years.
Professor Banerjee reminded that apart from its immediate catchment area
in Eastern India, NSOU has fast acquired a sub-continental, even global
stature with nearly 1 lakh students on its rolls, 150 Study Centres across
the state and a cluster of courses and programmes designed to cater the
varied educational needs of the people. She emphasized mainly the IT based
courses and the vocational courses of the University. She highlighted
the Global recognition of NSOU’s path-breaking endeavours that came
in November, 2006 in the shape of the COL Award for Institutional Excellence
conferred on the University by the Commonwealth of Learning, an International
Intergovernmental Organization of the Commonwealth countries based in
Canada.
Mr. Noah A. Samara, Chairman & CEO, WorldSpace Satellite Radio in
his convocation address said that education, particularly Higher Education
has always been a pre-condition for development everywhere. This is where
major ODL institutions in the subcontinent like Netaji Subhas Open University
can play a seminal role and that is the task in which they are very intensely
engaged at present. He expressed his conviction that wonderful results
would follow sooner than later. Echoing the sentiments expressed by Professor
Banerjee, Mr. Samara said that he too, looked forward to increasing cooperation
and growing ties between the two institutions. He emphasized that the
media plays a crucial part in Open and Distance Education.
In his address Dr. Raymond Sorrel Suttner, Walter & Albertina Sisulu
Knowledge and Heritage Unit, School of Graduate studies, College of Human
Science, University of South Africa also laid primary emphasis on the
crucial importance of Open and Distance learning as a catalyst in speeding
up socio-economic development. No wonder that Universities like NSOU are
engineering in their quiet but steady fashion a socio-economic transformation
which could be increasingly visible in the days to come.
In his presidential address Sri Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Governor of West
Bengal and Chancellor, Netaji Subhas Open University welcomed the new
grandands and exhorted them to forge ahead imbibing the real, daring spirit
of Open education. He acknowledged the phenomenal growth of the University
in respect of student enrolment and introduction of pioneer, innovative
and trail blazing courses. However, he stressed rural upliftment and application
of ICT for expansion of knowledge in the rural sector. He expressed his
belief that Netaji Subhas Open University will lead the field in facilitating
this task at a steady pace.
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The
Round-Table Conference of Vice-Chancellors on 'The RTI Act and Universities'
Date:
10.04.2007
Venue:
Conference Hall, Netaji Subhas Open University
The
premier ODL institution in Eastern India, Netaji Subhas Open University
(NSOU) organized a Round-Table Conference of Vice-Chancellors on the RTI
Act and Universities at its Headquarters on April 10, 2007. Sri Arun Kumar
Bhattacharya, State Chief Information Commissioner, West Bengal State
Information Commission delivered the keynote address. It was attended
by Vice-Chancellors and their nominees of eleven (11) Universities in
the state as detailed below:
1. Professor Amit Kumar Mullik, V.C., Burdwan University
2. Dr. A. K. Chakraborty, Advisor, Controller of Examinations Department,
Netaji Subhas Open University
3. Dr. Bhaswati Mitra, Registrar, Bengal Engineering and Science University,
Shibpur
4. Mr. D. C. Chakrabarti, Joint Secretary, Higher Education Department,
Govt. of West Bengal
5. Mr. Debashis Biswas, Dy. Controller of Examinations, Calcutta University
6. Dr. Gouri Ghosh, Asst. Registrar, West Bengal University of Technology
7. Professor M. P. Singh, V.C., The West Bengal National University of
Juridical Sciences
8. Mr. Omkar Sadhan Adhikari, Controller of Examinations, Calcutta University
9. Professor Pijush Kanti Saha, V.C., North Bengal University
10. Mr. S. K. Maity, Development Officer, Rabindra Bharati University
11. Professor Surabhi Banerjee, host V.C., Netaji Subhas Open University
12. Professor Suranjan Das, Pro-V.C., Calcutta University & Member,
UGC (Coordinator of the programme)
13. Swami Sarvapriyananda, Registrar, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda
University
14. Professor Swapan Kumar Pramanik, V.C., Vidyasagar University
15. Mr. Utpal Bhattacharya, Registrar, Kalyani University
Welcoming
the distinguished participants, Prof. Surabhi Banerjee, Vice-Chancellor,
Netaji Subhas Open University said that the Hon’ble Chancellor Sri
Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Governor of West Bengal had earlier on expressed
a desire that an interactive conference between Sri Arun Kumar Bhattacharya,
State Chief Information Commissioner and the Vice-Chancellors of different
universities in the State should be organized to consider the implications
of the Right to Information Act, 2005 vis-à-vis the universities.
Netaji Subhas Open University decided to host the Round-table on this
important Act. Professor Banerjee requested Prof. Suranjan Das, Pro-V.C.,
Calcutta University to coordinate the proceedings of the Conference.
Prof.
Das briefly spoke of the implications of the Act for University governance
and observed that the numerous questions that arose basically revolved
around three key issues, namely:
1. Act empowering examinees / students to ask for copy or self-inspection
of the assessed answer script in an examination conducted by an examination
conducting authority
2. Whether procedures for selection of teaching and non-teaching staff
should be brought within the ambit of the Act and
3. Maintenance of financial transparency—for example in case of
UGC grants—in terms of the Act
The discussion that followed mainly focused on these issues.
Prof.
Pijush Kanti Saha, V.C., North Bengal University, mentioned the difficulties
of maintaining elaborate records for an indefinite period.
Mr.
Arun Kumar Bhattacharya, State Chief Information Commissioner, who delivered
the keynote address recalled at the outset that notable figures such as
Aruna Roy, eminent social activist and the Hon’ble Chancellor and
Governor of West Bengal, Sri Gopalkrishna Gandhi had repeatedly focused
national attention on the urgent need for an Information Act. The UPA
Government replaced the earlier Act with the present Information Act in
2005 to satisfy the popular demand. The Act in its present shape is remarkably
proactive with rigorous time frames for disclosure of information and
disposal of appeals although there are admittedly a number of grey areas.
The Act indeed fulfilled long-felt needs, observed Mr. Bhattacharya.
Speaking
on the thorny issue of the examinees’ demand to be allowed to see
assessed answerscripts Mr. Bhattacharya agreed that it has several important
aspects such as safeguarding the security and safety of examiners and
that the situation is indeed very rigid so far as the Act is concerned.
Even when a university or any examination conducting authority refuses
to show the assessed answerscript to an examinee, it has to justify its
decision under the exemption clause 8 (RTI Act). So far the West Bengal
State Information Commission has heard only one case, namely, the Utsab
Dutta case (vis-à-vis Calcutta University). In response to queries
from Prof. Saha, Prof. Pramanik and Prof. Das, Mr. Bhattacharya hastened
to add that the order handed down by the Commission in this case was a
stand-alone order and certainly not a blanket order.
Prof.
M. P. Singh, V.C., The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences,
caused a sensation of sorts when he declared that in his opinion the category
of ‘Public Authority’ does not apply to a university, nor
is the scheme or scope of the RTI Act, 2005 applicable to universities.
In the Utsab Dutta case Calcutta University should have, in his opinion,
raised (before Calcutta High Court) the question as to whether the Act
would at all apply to universities.
Whether
a university should be regarded as a ‘public authority’ is
a question which caused great confusion, admitted Mr. Bhattacharya. Private
hospitals rendering public service should be regarded as public authority.
But he conceded that an amendment was needed to remove confusion. Mr.
Bhattacharya asserted that
1. The Act was not primarily meant to be manipulated by disgruntled examinees,
bureaucrats or high-ups with an axe to grind
2. It was designed to redress grievances of poor people who are not unfortunately
coming forward in sufficient numbers to take advantage of it, may be due
to ignorance
3. Showing assessed answrescripts to examinee would not automatically
lead to the right to review or evaluation and therefore
4. There was no possibility of opening a Pandora’s Box of any kind.
He
informed the Conference that the Utsab Dutta case was referred to the
Commission by the Calcutta High Court and suggested that the system of
review / reexamination should be made more transparent to avert trouble
and litigation.
Prof.
Suranjan Das, Pro-V.C., Calcutta University, said that there is now greater
awareness amongst students who often insist on review/ reexamination but
what comes in the way is the complicated stipulations governing review/reexamination.
Calcutta University, Prof. Das revealed, even took the unusual step of
sending its representatives to the other universities to study their exam
systems and compiled a report.
Prof.
Pijush Kanti Saha, V.C., North Bengal University also stressed the three
basic areas outlined by Prof. Das earlier on. The Act requires a university
to show, on demand, to examinee assessed answerscript which is treated
as information under the Act. While a university is normally very open
and transparent about such issues, it is saddled with intractable problems.
How long should it hold on to millions of assessed answerscripts? There
are insurmountable problems of space and logistics. The Act, therefore,
should clearly specify the period of time. The identity of the examiner
should certainly be kept secret. To prevent possible tampering with original
answerscripts, only photocopy should be provided. The grey areas should
be clarified at once. Another important question is: Can a third party
seek and obtain information? Prof. Saha added that the Government of Maharashtra
and others have moved Court challenging the provision that answerscripts
are to be shown to students / examinees on demand.
Prof.
S. K. Pramanik, V.C., Vidyasagar University wanted to know about the kind
of administrative structure (information officer or separate body, for
instance) a university should put in place to handle queries brought under
the provisions of the RTI Act. How should the information be processed
to satisfy the RTI Act provisions? Coming to selection committee matters
/ procedures, he wondered whether it was obligatory for a university to
prepare merit list or panel for appointment. The current practice is to
prepare a broad report only. Is there any difference between (1) access
to information and (2) access to records? Does the former automatically
imply the latter? He was at one with Prof. P. Saha in insisting on a clearly
defined time-frame for preserving answerscripts. He said universities
must come to grips with two more related issues, namely:
1. Is the decision of a university in this area sacrosanct?
2. Can stipulations be relaxed and right to review granted to all?
Prof.
Saha was pointed out that the West Bengal Government had written to all
Universities in 2006 directing them to appoint Information Officer, Appellate
Authority, etc. because—the order stated—Universities came
within the purview of the Act as Public Authorities’.
Prof.
Das concurred with Prof. Saha in this.
Mr.
Bhattacharya asked the participants of the Round-table to attach proper
weight to the observations of Prof. Singh who happens to be an eminent
legal expert.
Prof.
Singh clarified his views at some length and explained the legal concept
of ‘Self Government’ to shore up his views. There were many
voices now trying to press home their views, both in agreement and disagreement.
Dr.
Arun Kiran Chakraborty, Advisor, Controller of Examinations Department,
Netaji Subhas Open University, intervened to point out that compliance
with the RTI Act by universities has a considerable administrative dimension
which must not be lost sight of because what was needed was a more pragmatic
rather than idealistic approach. He mentioned the doctrine of indoor management
in this connection.
Mr.
Omkar Sadhan Adhikari, Controller of Examinations, Calcutta University
presented a paper in which he has made a powerful plea for reexamining
the whole issue of allowing examinee / student to se assessed answerscript
because such a practice if initiated could have serious implications for
university autonomy. He raised the important question as to whether an
assessed answerscript was part of information as defined in the Act because
Utsab Dutta’s was not an isolated case and the trend has really
caught on.
Kalyani
University has already initiated such a practice. But Mr. Utpal Bhattacharya,
Registrar, Kalyani University clarified that the practice is now confined
to Honours examinations only. If the examinee had a grievance, he could
record it with the subject teacher concerned who would be available to
redress grievance, if practicable. Review would be allowed if the examinee
so wanted. On demand, a photocopy of answerscript without examiner’s
signature could be shown to examinee for thirty minutes only.
Mr.
S. K. Maity, Development Officer, Rabindra Bharati University, wondered
how much information a university should divulge to comply with the RTI
Act, 2005 and on what basis. Should the file notings, normally kept secret,
be shown too? In that case examiners and other authorities may have valid
reason for apprehension.
Mr.
Adhikari suggested that question-wise marksheets showing individual awards
of marks could be supplied in addition to normal marksheets to supplement
information.
At
the end of what he described as a very good interactive session, Mr. Arun
Kumar Bhattacharya, State Chief Information Commissioner, summed up the
proceedings by once more drawing attention to the penetrating points made
by Prof. Singh about the contentious nature of the ‘Public Authority’
category included in the Act and its much disputed, problematic application
to universities which, in his opinion, does not stand the test of law
and is most likely to be knocked down a properly challenged in a court
of law.
The
following suggestions emerged during the proceedings of the Conference:
1. Universities should seek authoritative legal opinion about applicability
of the RTI Act, 2005 to universities, even move court, if needed, to settle
the issue
2. Universities should also seek and obtain legal clarification on
a. Exemption clause
b. Self Government aspect
c. Desirability or otherwise of maintaining merit lists, detailed accounts
of appointment / selection procedures
d. How long answerscripts etc. should be retained to meet queries under
Act and
e. Universities should create own record manuals (referred to recommendations
of Administrative Reforms Commission, if necessary) and evolve uniform
methods of classifying records
The
State Chief Information Commissioner suggested that the Round-Table should
adopt resolutions on key issues and send these to the Hon’ble Chancellor
for his kind scrutiny who in his wisdom would perhaps forward the same
to the State Government for necessary action.
In
her concluding remarks, Prof. Surabhi Banerjee, V. C., Netaji Subhas Open
University observed that the session was highly animated as it opened
up new directions of approach and offered fresh insights into the problems
raised and encountered. She had a word of praise for Mr. Omkar Sadhan
Adhikari, Controller of Examinations, Calcutta University who presented
a stimulating work paper on the subject. Professor Banerjee said that
the proceedings would be drawn up and circulated among all the hon’ble
participants for their scrutiny and approval.
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Round-Table
Conference of Vice-Chancellors on 'Use of EDUSAT and Universities in
West Bengal'
Date:
April 9, 2007
Venue:
Conference Hall, Netaji Subhas Open University
The
premier ODL institution in Eastern India, Netaji Subhas Open University
(NSOU) organised a Round-table Conference of Vice-Chancellors on ‘Use
of EDUSAT and Universities in West Bengal’ at its Headquarters
on April 9, 2007. It was attended by Vice-Chancellors and their nominees
of 10 (ten) universities in the State as detailed below:
1. Professor Ashok R. Thakur, V.C., West Bengal University of Technology
2. Mr. Asitabha Das, Deputy Librarian and In-Charge, University of Kalyani
3. Dr. A. S. Kolaskar, Professor, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics,
University of Pune and Advisor, National Knowledge Commission, Govt.
of India
4. Mr. Biplab Sarkar, System Manager, Computer Centre, University of
Burdwan
5. Dr. B. S. Bhatia, former Director, Development and Educational Communication
Unit, ISRO
6. Professor Debashish Ghosh, Dean, Engg. Arch., Bengal Engineering
and Science University, Shibpur
7. Mr. Debidas Mondal, Deputy Registrar, University of Burdwan
8. Mr. D. K. Roy, Registrar, Netaji Subhas Open University
9. Professor Kalyankumar Dutta, School of Education Technology, Jadavpur
University
10. Professor Pijush Kanti Saha, V.C., North Bengal University
11. Professor Samar Bhattacharya, Director, School of Education Technology,
Jadavpur University
12. Mr. Sanjay Mukhopadhyay, Director and CEO, Roopkala Kendra
13. Mr. Santosh Kumar Ghorui, Registrar, Rabindrabharati University
14. Mr. Sumil Malliu, Director, Computer Centre, Vidyasagar University
15. Professor Surabhi Banerjee, host V.C., Netaji Subhas Open University
16. Swami Bhaveshananda, Monk, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University
17. Swami Sarvapriyananda, Registrar, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda
University
18. Professor Swapan Kumar Pramanik, V.C., Vidyasagar University
Welcoming the distinguished participants, Professor Surabhi Banerjee,
Vice-Chancellor, Netaji Subhas Open University, stressed the unique
importance of the conference and the need to syncronize endeavours and
initiatives to achieve optimum utilization of EDUSAT facilities which
provide an ideal delivery and dissemination model for the emerging knowledge
society.
Presenting a quick overview of EDUSAT Dr. Bhatia who chaired the Round
Table spoke of the National Beam and 5 Regional Beam components and
the channels carried by them. The big states (M.P., U.P., etc) have
been assigned both national and regional beams while a regional beam
operates in West Bengal. Incidentally Hariyana has the biggest terminal
network. The regional hub for West Bengal is located at Roopkala Kendra,
Kolkata. Currently there are 341 ROT-s (Receive Only Terminal) installed
at the block level across the State and 26 interactive channels as well.
He observed that EDUSAT presented rich possibilities which needed to
be explored. Mr. Sanjay Mukhopadhyay concurred.
But Professor P. Saha (V.C., North Bengal University) and Prof. S. K.
Pramanik (V.C., Vidyasagar University)—particularly the former
expressed serious reservations about the effectiveness of the coordination
of efforts and the lack of communication between the universities and
the implementing authorities (ISRO and Roopkala Kendra). There were
communication bottlenecks which needed to be straightened out, asserted
Prof. P. Saha. Information was lacking, response was interminably delayed.
Given its huge jurisdiction, EDUSAT was exactly the delivery vehicle
North Bengal University needed to disseminate learning but unfortunately
no groundwork seems to have been done as yet.
Prof. A. R. Thakur (V.C., West Bengal University of Technology) said
that major initiatives from ISRO were expected. Appreciating the sentiments
expressed, Dr. Bhatia was at pains to point out that while it was certainly
ISRO’s responsibility to do the spadework, supply expertise and
equipment and install a hub in each state, it was the responsibility
of the State Govt. and its organs (Higher Education Department, etc.)
to coordinate efforts and energies at the State level and create the
infrastructure and administrative machinery needed to address the local
needs and enable educational institutions to access EDUSAT facilities.
At a certain point of time a general concern could be discerned because
some of the hon’ble participants felt that not enough information
about EDUSAT was available either through the relevant authority in
the Govt. of West Bengal or any other authorized agency and that even
if an administrative framework for coordination existed, very few were
aware of it.
Mr. Sanjay Mukhopadhyay of Roopkala Kendra intervened to inform that
a steering committee at the State level does exist. He also informed
that programmes relating to Panchayati Raj were broadcast through EDUSAT.
He, however, conceded that the onus was on the Higher Education Department,
Govt. of West Bengal, to bridge the communication gap. Dr. Bhatia at
this stage suggested that Mr. Mukhopadhyay should prepare a slim brochure
containing all the relevant information about the EDUSAT hub and circulate
it among the universities. Mr. Mukhopadhyay consented.
Prof. A. R. Thakur dwelt on the fascinating possibilities opened up
by EDUSAT of information and data sharing, collective content creation
and dissemination, such as the simultaneous teaching of engineering
courses to all the engineering colleges across the State. Both Dr. Bhatia
and Professor Thakur suggested that the Universities should join hands
to create a consortium or a similar coordinating structure to pool resources
and jointly address common needs, for example those of content creation,
upgradation and delivery mechanism.
Prof. S. Bhattacharya and Prof. K. Dutta (Jadavpur University) laid
emphasis on the need to develop a variety of contents for different
sectors and different audiences. Quality assurance was a vital necessity
and attention should be paid to standardization of quality and international
norms in this area.
Representatives of Burdwan University enquired if it was possible to
set up an EDUSAT link between Roopkala Kendra and Burdwan University
which is 100 kms away from Kolkata. They also enquired about the cost
of connectivity and the feasibility of having satellite interactive
terminals (SIT-s) installed at selected locations. Dr. Bhatia answered
all the queries.
Vidyasagar University wanted several SITs and teaching ends. Dr. Bhatia
clarified that transmitting lectures live is the easiest thing to do.
Swami Sarvapriyananda (Ramakrishan Mission Vivekananda University) said
that his University which is currently running 4 ISRO VRC schemes in
Jharkhand and 6 in West Bengal is keen to join the EDUSAT Network simultaneously
if that would be possible. Dr. Bhatia answered in the affirmative and
observed that this University should apply for a National Beam because
it has a network of campuses right across the country and the network
is fast expanding.
Mr. Arunansu Dasgupta, Associate Officer, IT, Netaji Subhas Open University
presented a brief report on the tangible progress achieved by Netaji
Subhas Open University towards using EDUSAT facilities. In the first
phase 4 (four) study centres of Netaji Subhas Open University will be
made as learning ends equipped with satellite interactive terminals
(SIT) which will interact both ways with the state-of-art audio-video
studio which in turn will act as the teaching end of this University
in the EDUSAT network. The University has been informed by the Chief
Coordinator of the EDUSAT Project, West Bengal State Rural Development
Agency Cell, Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Govt. of West
Bengal that the hub at Roopkala Kendra, Kolkata will be made available
free of cost for a period of 3 (three) years from September 2006 onwards
and the University will avail the bandwidth on a timesharing basis.
A team of technical experts from the Prasar Bharati visited the Salt
Lake campus of the University and identified the room for the proposed
studio. Work order for the construction of the audio-video studio has
been placed with the Prasar Bharati. The construction work is likely
to start by the end of April 2007. To connect the hub with the studio
BSNL has recommended Optical Fibre cable connectivity instead of Wi-Fi.
Of late the University has received an invoice from ISRO for 1 (one)
set of equipments for the teaching end and 4 (four) number of SITs for
the learning end. The issue of work order against the invoice is under
process.
Prof. A. S. Kolaskar in his observations stressed the need to identify
and establish a clearly defined nodal agency at the State level to avoid
confusion and achieve syncronization and coordination of efforts. Technical
expertise was needed for content generation which should be able to
measure up to world standards. And only when optimum utilization of
the present EDUSAT was achieved, pressure could be mounted on the Central
Government to prod it into launching the second EDUSAT. That would amount
to a quantum leap for which the country needed to be groomed carefully.
Dr. Bhatia pleaded for close coordination among all concerned at the
operational level to act on the recommendations emanating from this
conference and other forums and achieve palpable success.
Prof. A. R. Thakur requested Prof. Surabhi Banerjee, V.C., Netaji Subhas
Open University to write to the Vice-Chairman, Higher Education Council,
West Bengal on behalf of the conference asking him to take steps to
effect the necessary coordination.
Prof. Banerjee in her concluding remarks described the conference as
extremely rewarding. She had a word of praise for Dr. Bhatia and Prof.
Kolaskar for contributing so richly to the proceedings and suggested
that the proceedings should be prepared and sent to the Vice-Chancellors
in the first place for their approval and scrutiny. Thus, when a consensus
emerged in the process, Prof. Banerjee said she would suitably communicate
the views expressed at the conference to the Vice-Chairman, Higher Education
Council, West Bengal on the basis of this consensus.
The suggestion was at once accepted by the participants of the Round
Table.
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Third
Endowment Lecture on Open and Distance Learning
Date:
04.03.2007
Venue:
Bhasha Bhavan, National Library, Kolkata
Netaji
Subhas Open University (NSOU) holds a number of Endowment and Memorial
Lectures every year . The Third Endowment Lecture on ‘Open and
Distance Learning ’ was delivered on 4th March , 2007 in Kolkata
( Bhasa Bhavan Conference Hall , National Library Complex ) by Professor
Mahmood H. Butt , Vice-Chancellor , Allama Iqbal Open University , Islamabad
, Pakistan . The ceremony was inaugurated by Professor Surabhi Banerjee
, Vice-Chancellor , Netaji Subhas Open University , who welcomed all
to the Endowment Lecture . Md. Salim , Member of Parliament and Chairman
, West Bengal Minority and Finance Development Corporation presided
over the programme and delivered the Presidential Address . Mr. S.A.
Ahmed , IAS , Special Secretary to the Chief Minister , Government of
West Bengal was present as Special Guest of Honour .
Delivering
the Welcome Address Professor Surabhi Banerjee naturally laid stress on
the unique importance of such exchanges and visits between premier Open
and Distance Learning Institutions of India and Pakistan , the major players
in the SAARC . The great responsibility of spreading Higher Education
through the Open and Distance mode and extending the benefits of Higher
Education to the vast unreached in the subcontinent rests on premier ODL
Universities like NSOU which has already emerged as a very Modern Mega
Peoples’ University of the 21st Century . Briefly recounting the
eventful growth path of the University over the last five years , Professor
Banerjee reminded the audience that apart from its immediate catchment
area in Eastern India , NSOU has fast acquired a sub-continental , even
global stature with nearly one lakh students on its rolls , 150 Study
Centres across the country and a cluster of courses and programmes designed
to address the varied educational needs of the people . Global recognition
of NSOU’s path-breaking endeavours came in October 2006 in the shape
of the COL Award for Institutional Excellence conferred on the University
by the Commonwealth of Learning , an International Intergovernmental Organisation
of the Commonwealth Countries based in Canada .
Professor
Butt was at one with Professor Banerjee in emphasizing the importance
of such exchanges between the two countries who have so much in common
and such enormous potential for all round development . Like India , Pakistan
too , has its problems of poverty and under development . Education ,
particularly Higher Education has always been a pre-condition for development
everywhere . This is where major ODL Institutions in the subcontinent
like Allama Iqbal Open University and Netaji Subhas Open University can
play a seminal role and that is the task in which they are engaged at
present . He expressed his conviction that wonderful results would follow
sooner than later . Echoing the sentiments expressed by Professor Banerjee
, Professor Butt said that he too, looked forward to increasing cooperation
and growing ties between the two Universities. A beginning in this direction
has already been made , he asserted .
In
his Presidential Address Md. Salim , a member of Parliament and Chairman
, West Bengal Minorities and Finance Development whom Professor Banerjee
described as a steadfast Friend and Patron of the University from the
very beginning highlighted the considerable significance of the process
of interaction between the two major Educational Institutions of India
and Pakistan set in motion by Professor Butt’s visit which , he
was hopeful , would open up fresh areas of cooperation between the two
countries in the field of Education and hasten socio-economic development
.
Mr.
S.A. Ahmed , IAS , Special Secretary to the Chief Minister , Government
of West Bengal also laid primary emphasis on the crucial importance of
Open and Distance Learning as a catalyst in speeding up socio-economic
development . No wonder that Universities like NSOU are engineering in
their quiet but steady fashion a socio-economic transformation which would
be increasingly visible in the days ahead .
Professor
Manotosh Dasgupta , Executive Officer , School of Science , NSOU proposed
a delightful Vote of Thanks .
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Proceedings
of the State Level Seminar on Value Added Tax (VAT)—Scope and
Implication
Date: 19.05.2007
Venue:
Golpark Campus of the University
A
State Level Seminar on Value Added Tax (VAT)—Scope and Implication
was organized by Netaji Subhas Open University on 19.05.2007 at the
University’s Golpark Campus. In the Inaugural Session the Welcome
Address was delivered by Professor Swapan Kumar Banerjee, Director,
H&SS, Netaji Subhas Open University. Professor Banerjee in his address
briefed the house about the multifarious activities undertaken by the
University. Shri Dipak Majumdar, Special Commissioner of Commercial
Taxes, Government of West Bengal delivered the Keynote Address. Shri
Majumdar in his illuminating lecture liquefied the main scopes and avenues
related to VAT. According to him VAT is the tax paid on sale price as
well as purchase price separately. He also quite pertinently pointed
out the following advantages of the introduction of VAT—1. Tax
burden due to the introduction of VAT will be less, 2. the system of
sales tax was far more complex whereas VAT is a simplified tax system,
3. VAT requires less documentation as compared to sales tax. He also
lamented that the VAT is not an uniform system. To make it more effective
uniform tax laws are to be framed. Due to the introduction of VAT the
average growth in revenue collection is as remarkable as 26%, which
is, however, a bit less in West Bengal—added Shri Majumdar. He
expressed the hope that the seminar would definitely throw some light
on the grey areas of VAT system.Dr. T. P. Ghosh, Director of Studies,
ICAI, who delivered the Presidential Address, briefly reviewed the background
for introducing VAT system in this country. In this connection he also
added that Brazil was the first country to introduce VAT system. In
Singapore it is known as GST—Goods and Service Tax. Earlier in
our country Central Government introduced the ModVAT system—added
Dr. Ghosh. Dr. Ghosh in his lecture quite elaborately discussed the
difficulties related to the implementation of VAT system. In a federal
country like India CST is levied on goods for inter-state transfer.
This is reflected in the price hike which is not desirable. Multiplicity
of taxes in India should be reconsidered. He proposed that to mitigate
tax related complications India should follow Chinese model of taxing.
He hopes by the end of 2010 all these tax related issues will be squared
up and the CST will be eliminated and appropriate tax rates for India
would be worked out at the macro level. The Inaugural Session ended
with the Vote of Thanks proposed by Mr. Anirban Ghosh, Lecturer in Commerce,
Netaji Subhas Open University.
Technical
Session-1
The
Inaugural session was followed by the First Technical Session which
was chaired by Professor Madan Mohan Maji, Retired Professor, Kalyani
University & Member of BOS, M. Com., NSOU. Professor Maji enlightened
the house on pertinent features of VAT. He, in this connection, also
made mention of various recommendations made by various commissions,
viz. L. K. Jha Commission, at various points of time before VAT being
implemented finally on 01.04.2005. Mr. Anirban Ghosh, Lecturer in Commerce,
NSOU presented his paper on this burning issue. He clarified in his
paper issues like why West Bengal Sales Tax Act was substituted by VAT
Act, types of VAT, advantages and disadvantages of VAT, etc. The last
speaker of the first Technical Session was Mr. Arun Agarwal, CA, K.
N. Jain & Co. He quite relevantly discussed issues relating to VAT
regarding the price regulation. He explained three objectives for introducing
VAT in this country, viz. 1. to remove cascading effect, 2. to remove
competition among the states regarding the price reduction, and 3. to
check and minimize tax evasion. VAT, a multi-point tax system is always
better than a single point tax like sales tax—added Mr. Agarwal.
The
Post-Lunch Session: Technical Session-2
The
Final and the Second Technical Session was chaired by Dr. Uttam Dutta,
Professor, Burdwan University and Member of Ph. D. Committee, NSOU.
Professor Dutta pointed out that VAT is underpinned by the General Benefit
Theory. In short he also surveyed that Sales Tax was first introduced
in India in the year 1938. Later in 1978 L. K. Jha recommended value
added tax system which was corroborated by Challiah Committee as well
as Kelkar Committee. Due to the introduction of VAT revenue collection
increased by 12% in 2005-06 financial year, which rose up to 22% in
2006-07. But he also added a point of dissatisfaction that tax collection
in West Bengal is not satisfactory.
In
view of Shri Mrityunjoy Acharjee, CA, CS, CWA, Manager—Taxation,
Balmer Lawrie Co. & Ltd., who spoke next, VAT was introduced in
order to replace Sales Tax, which was an astute government prerogative.
He said that CST is being phased out by VAT. It was also suggested by
him that VAT system should be simplified as well as full proof. In India
VAT was introduced in the State Level, which gave birth to the anomalies
like deemed assessment in certain states, consignment transfer between
principal and agent branch to other branch is taxable, all inter-state
transfer of goods from one dealer to its agent on consignment basis
or to its another separate registered branch with Delhi/NCD shall be
treated as ‘sale’ and liable to VAT under Delhi VAT Act,
etc.Shri Snehamoy Bhattacharya, Lecturer of Calcutta University deliberated
on the importance of maintaining a uniformity in VAT system throughout
the country. In this connection he also mentioned that a country wide
computer-based network for easy implementation of VAT system is the
need of the hour.The last speaker of the session was Shri Subhayan Basu,
Selection Grade Lecturer, Anandamohan College. He delved on the issues
of accounting in VAT system. The session ended with a very fruitful
interaction on the VAT system as a whole.
Certificates
were distributed among the participants of the seminar.
Total
number of participants in this seminar was 40.
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