**Summary:**
This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1159, answered on July 28, 2025, regarding Visva-Bharati University.
Currently, the Central Government funds 53 research projects at Visva-Bharati, with a total allocation of Rs. 3.46 crores.
The filling of faculty vacancies at Central Universities, including Visva-Bharati, is an ongoing process, and the university has been directed to fill vacancies under Mission Mode, which is regularly monitored.
Visva-Bharati has identified approximately 62.0225 acres of land under encroachment. The university has implemented several measures to address this issue, including enhanced campus security, fencing, and both removal and prevention strategies. The Estate Officer, appointed under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971, has conducted periodic eviction drives, demolishing unauthorized structures. The university has also issued administrative notices and sought assistance from the District Administration and State Government. Legal action, including the filing of court cases, is also being pursued. A survey and demarcation of the campus were conducted in 2007-08, resulting in the installation of over 550 pillars. Furthermore, over 30 km of boundary wall has been erected around the campus.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: The Indian government ministry responsible for education.
Department of Higher Education: A department under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
VisvaBharati University: A central university located in West Bengal, India.
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.
Central Universities: Autonomous bodies established under Acts of Parliament.
Public Premises Eviction of unauthorized occupants Act, 1971: An act under which the Estate Officer for Visva Bharti was appointed.
West Bengal: The state in India where VisvaBharati University is located.
LOK SABHA: The lower house of the Parliament of India where the question was raised
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1159
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
ENCROACHMENT OF LAND OF VISVA-BHARATI UNIVERSITY
1159. SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:
Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:
(a) the details of research projects at Visva-Bharati University which are currently funded by
the Government and the total amount of funds allocated for these projects;
(b) the total number of vacant posts of faculty at Visva-Bharati University and the steps being
taken to fill these vacancies;
(c) the details of land encroachment identified at Visva-Bharati University;
(d) the details of legal and administrative steps taken against such land encroachment;
(e) whether the Government has conducted a review of land disputes at Visva-Bharati
University; and
(f) the details of measures taken to prevent further land encroachments?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(Dr. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a): 53 research projects worth Rs.3.46 crores are currently funded by Central Government
at Visva-Bharati.
(b): Occurring of vacancies and filling thereof is a continuous process. The vacancies arise
due to retirement, resignation and additional requirements on account of enhanced
students’ strength. Central Universities (CUs) are autonomous bodies established under
Acts of Parliament. They are governed by their respective Acts/Statutes/Ordinances.
All Central Universities including Visva Bharti, have been directed to fill- up the
vacancies under Mission Mode, which is monitored regularly.(c) to (f): Visva Bharti identified around 62.0225 acres of land under encroachment. The
University has taken several measures for campus security, fencing, removal as well as
prevention of the land encroachment. The Estate Officer for Visva Bharti appointed
under Public Premises (Eviction of unauthorised occupants) Act, 1971 has conducted
eviction drives periodically and demolished unauthorized structures. Additionally, the
university issued administrative notices and consistently sought assistance from the
District Administration and State Government for the removal of encroachments. Legal
action has also been pursued through the filing of court cases. The University campus
was surveyed and demarcation was done in 2007-08 and more than 550 pillars were
installed. More than 30 km length of boundary wall has been erected around the
campus.
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