Chandigarh
27 April 2018
DIVYA AZAD
The Punjab Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations (PFUCTO), a federation of teachers associations of GNDU, Amritsar, PU, Chandigarh, PAU, Ludhiana, Punjabi University, Patiala, GADVASU, Ludhiana, Government Colleges and non-govt. colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh held at the Panjab University campus today in which the teachers from the govt. and non-govt. college of the region also participated.
Dr. Jagwant Singh General Secretary, PFUCTO, said, “The Punjab Govt. has done little in the wake of the UGC recommendations on revised pay scales for teachers and equivalent cadres in universities and colleges following the revision of pay scales of Central Government employees on the recommendations. The UGC had asked all the State Governments to take action to adopt the above Government of India scheme for the State Universities and Colleges so that the implementation of this scheme may be done all over the country in a time bound manner. When the Central Government will bear the additional burden of the State on account of revision of pay scales, then there is no reason for the state govt. to delay the implementation of the new UGC pay scales.”
Prof. Navprem Singh, Secretary, PAUTA, stated, “When the Punjab Govt. granted interim relief to its ministerial staff, the university and college teachers were denied the same on the grounds that we are governed by the UGC notifications on pay scales. Now that the UGC notification on pay scales has been issued, the govt. should initiate action to implement the pay scales as soon as possible.”
Prof. Rajesh Gill, President, PUTA assured the gathering that teachers of PU fully support the cause of teachers. She expressed serious concerns at the policies of the Govt. of India and the Punjab govt. towards higher education and expressed her dismay on the plight of ad-hoc and contractual appointments.
Prof. Viney Sophat, Gen. Secretary, PCCTU criticized the govt. for its failure to release the salary grants of teachers working in the aided colleges in Punjab. He demanded regulaisation of the 1925 teachers who were appointed in pursuance of Pb. & Hry. High Court orders.
Prof. Rakesh Sharda, President PAUTA, stated that agriculture research in PAU has suffered due to sharp decrease in funds. Dr. Jagdeep Kumar said that the Punjab govt. has delayed the release of grants which resulted into delay in release of salaries to the college employees. Prof. Goswami, Secretary, PUTA, raised the issue of Ph.D. increments which has affected a large no. of teachers.
Pro. Avtar Singh, vice-president and Prof. Jagdeep Kumar, Secretary, PCCTU; Dr. Jaswant Singh, finance secretary and Prof. Jaspal Singh, vice-president, GCTA also spoke on the plight of higher education.
