College student council polls in April-June, says Partha Chatterjee

Kolkata: The West Bengal government will conduct student council elections in colleges during April-June, even if terms of present elected student bodies in different colleges and universities expire by January 31.

The student council elections cannot be held before the end of Higher Secondary Examinations (HS) on April 11, state education minister Partha Chatterjee told reporters yesterday night.

“It is not binding on us to wrap up the students council election schedule by December 1-January 31. The elections can always be held a bit later to ensure the Higher Secondary Examination schedule is not hampered,” Mr Chatterjee said.

The HS Examination would be held from March 27 to April 11 and the Joint Entrance Examination on April 22. The JEE is conducted in college buildings, while the HS Examination is held in both school and college buildings.

Elections to student councils in different colleges across Bengal were scheduled during December 2017-January 2018.

To another question, Chatterjee said the government has decided that all state-run primary and secondary schools, and college buildings would get a fresh coat of paint.

“Our institutions should not have a worn-out look, but be visually appealing and well-maintained throughout the year,” he said.