Pay Scales of space scientists increased to Rs 31000 from Rs.18000 at entry level

Bangalore, Oct 28 (IANS) The successful launch of India’s first lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 has inspired many Indian space scientists working abroad to return home for a promising career in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), a top official said.”Our moon mission has aroused tremendous interest in the scientific community the world over. The launch has made many overseas Indian space scientists think of returning and working in our organisation to further their career prospects,” the official told IANS.
Though the state-run ISRO’s human resource department is yet to receive applications from abroad, the official who didn’t want to be named confirmed that enquiries for job prospects in the space agency started since the Oct 22 launch of Chandrayaan from Sriharikota spaceport, about 80 km north of Chennai.
“There have been some enquiries though at a personal level. For instance, Chandrayaan director M. Annadurai got e-mail from scientists, mostly of Indian origin, congratulating him for the lunar mission and offering to join the space agency,” the official pointed out.
Many persons of Indian origin (PIOs) currently working in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the US and the European Space Agency (ESA) in Europe or at Kourou in French Guiana, South America, began their career as scientists in ISRO or in Indian academic/research institutes before migrating in search of greener pastures.
“Some Indian space scientists working in NASA may be mulling to come back to work on our projects. They might be keen on applying for a suitable post in commensurate with their experience and expectations. We welcome them on merit,” the official noted.
But the official added that as a policy the Indian space agency did not recruit foreign nationals.
“Indian born scientists and PIOs are, however, eligible to apply in ISRO. To our knowledge, barring a few, not many Indian scientists are working in ESA. If any, they may be second or third generation Indians with European nationality,” the official hinted.
Annadurai has said scientists from NASA and ESA, including PIOs have sent feelers expressing interest to work for ISRO, even at lower salaries. Annadurai could not be reached for his comments.
ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair had told reporters at Sriharikota that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had put in place packages for scientists working in the space organisation and the atomic energy agency on the basis of the Sixth Pay Commission.
“We are in the process of getting these things (revised packages) cleared at the final approval stage. But I don’t think we can give the phenomenal salary offered by the IT firms. We will give respectable living conditions in line with society,” Nair affirmed.
In accordance with the Sixth Pay Commission’s recommendations, the government has revised pay scales of space scientists and engineers to Rs.31,000 from Rs.18,000 at entry-level posts; to Rs.60,000 from Rs.43,000 at middle-level posts and to Rs.70,000 from Rs.45,000 for the top posts - director and above.
The 36-year-old ISRO, headquartered in Bangalore, with multiple locations across the country, has a total workforce of 16,500, including about 10,000 scientists and engineers. About 6,500 are employed in administrative and auxiliary services.
“Our attrition rate is less than the best of IT companies. Though there is a dearth of outstanding science or engineering graduates opting for a career in space science/technology, we are able to manage the demand-supply gap fairly well,” the official observed.
To ensure a steady stream of supply to its various departments, ISRO has commenced a space university at Thiruvananthapuram this academic year where about 150 students with science background are offered a five-year course in space technology and applications.
“The graduating students will have a five year bond to serve with the organisation. They get oriented to work on space application and programmes, with opportunity to do projects at our various facilities,” the official added.
About 90 percent of ISRO scientists/engineers are home-grown, having graduated from Indian Institutes of Technology, National Institutes of Technology, Bits Pilani or other top engineering universities/colleges.

Non-teaching staff to get arrears

New Delhi, October 26The non-teaching staff of the UGC funded institutes now have added reason for cheer on Diwali as the apex body has decided to give them 40 per cent of their arrears on the account of implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.
The arrears would be provided for the period from January 2006 to August 31. The rest would be paid during the next financial year, the UGC said. It has sent a letter in this regard to the registrars of all central universities and deemed universities and Delhi colleges getting non-plan grants from it.
Employees other than teachers would get the payment for the “relevant period”, it said in the letter. The arrears should be paid in cash in two instalments.
“The central universities, deemed universities, Delhi colleges may make ad-hoc payment of arrears towards the first instalment to its non-teaching employees whose pattern of emolument’s structure are identical to those of the employees of central government,” the letter said. — PTI

Teachers may have to wait for revised pay

University teachers may have to wait to get their revised pay packet as the government is likely to consult the Election Commission for such a step in view of the announcement of assembly polls in six states.
Top HRD Ministry sources said the government may seek the EC's advice before implementing the new pay structure for academics in view of the 'model code of conduct' coming into force.However, the sources made it clear that the government was keen on implementing the Chadha Committee report at the "earliest" with adequate modifications.The Ministry has set up a committee to consider the recommendations of the committee which has suggested over 70 per cent hike in pay scale of varsity teachers. The committee is also considering the concerns expressed by teachers' bodies and the modifications done by the UGC.Meanwhile, the Federation of College and University Teachers Association (FEDCUTA) has decided to hold a march to Parliament on 5th November to press for their demands.Nearly 2,000 teachers of 24 central universities across the country last week boycotted classes for two days demanding an early decision on their pay revision and consideration of their demands.Their demands include restoring the existing four-tier structure Lecturer, Lecturer in Senior Scale, Reader and Professor instead of creating seven-tier structure as recommended by the Chadha Committee.
Besides, the teachers are also demanding restoration of professor's promotion in colleges as an avenue for third promotion.
Source : DDNEWS

TEACHERS TO GO FOR COUNTRY WIDE INDEFINITE STRIKEIF UGC PAY REVIEW REPORT IS NOT MODIFIED & IMPLEMENTED

Bangalore
20-10-2008
The three day National Conference of All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organizations (AIFUCTO) held at Bangalore has resolved to resort to country wide indefinite strike, in case the VI UGC Pay Review Committee Report is not suitably modified and implemented by the Central Government immediately. The Conference was highly critical of certain recommendations of the Pay Review Committee which would totally upset the existing parity between college / university teachers and class I Officers of the Central Government. A 17 point charter of demands has been prepared by the General Council of AIFUCTO, attended by more than 2000 delegates from all the states and union territories in the country. The Conference has authorized the AIFUCTO Secretariat to try for a negotiated settlement with MHRD on the outstanding issues and to issue strike notice with immediate effect, if negotiations fail. The most important demands include assured three promotions for all teachers, inclusion of Readers/Selection Grade Lecturers in pay band four, professorship in both Post Graduate and Undergraduate departments, rectification of anomalies in respect of CAS in the last pay revision, the benefit of enhanced increment for all teachers and full parity between teachers and librarians/directors of physical education.A delegation of AIFUCTO led by Prof. Thomas Joseph, President and Prof. Asok Barman, General Secretary will meet Shri. Arjun Singh, HRD Minister to present the charter of demands and seek its acceptance and immediate implementation. The AIFUCTO Conference also appealed to all affiliates to contribute liberally to Bihar Chief Ministers’ Flood Relief Fund. The Conference further decided to hold country wide awareness programmes against the culture of violence and menace of terrorism aided and abetted by fundamentalist forces.
Asok Barman, Thomas Joseph Gen.Secretary, AIFUCTO President, AIFUCTO

Teachers' body for indefinite strike

NEW DELHI:21 Oct 2008, 0019 hrs IST, Manash Pratim Gohain, TNN
Teachers in Central universities are gearing up for prolonged agitation and indefinite strikes, as they feel that Chadha Committee's Pay R
eview Committee (PRC) report has failed to satisfy their demands. Sources said the teachers are going on a two-day strike from October 22 across 24 Central universities in the country. In November, the teachers will march to the Parliament. Teachers' associations of Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Jawaharlal Nehru University and Indira Gandhi National Open University will join the agitation called by the Federation of Central Universities Teachers' Associations (FEDCUTA) in the Capital. The PRC report was submitted on October 3, following which the teachers met the University Grant Commission officials, including chairman Sukhadeo Thorat, and demanded review of the recommendation. The Ministry of Human Resource and Development also set up a committee to examine the PRC report. The empowered committee of HRD Ministry believed to have rejected the PRC's recommendation for band 3 for readers and to place them in band 4. Speaking to Times City on the anomalies in the PRC report and their demand, a section of teachers in the Capital said that a principal of an undergraduate college
and a reader of an university at present falls in the same pay band. But the report recommended the upgradation of the principal to the band 4, while the readers have been placed in band 3. "Now the central government employees
with annual increment of Rs 400 and end pay of Rs 18,300 have all been placed in band 4, whereas readers with an annual increment of Rs 420 and end pay of Rs 18,300 are placed in band 3. It amounts to violation of principal of equity,'' said Tabrez Alam Khan, faculty, JMI. "We are not ready to accept any discriminatory increment system,'' added Shiva Panda, faculty, Satyawati College (evening). Another factor which is disturbing the teachers is that the Pay Commission has reduced the payscale from existing 36 to 18, while in the universities' four-tier system (from lecturer, senior lecturer, reader and professor) has been increased from four to seven by the Chadha Committee. "We are concerned as we came to know that instead of solving our problems, the empowered committee is planning to create one more cadre at the entry level making it eight in all. We are against such a multi-layered system as it is against the basic principles of the Central Pay Commission,'' said Aditya Narayan Mishra, president, FEDCUTA. The teachers are also protesting the introduction of peer review and students evaluation system for promotions of teachers. JNU is one university which already has an evaluation system by students. Reacting to the recommendations K M Chenoy, faculty, JNU said: "There is already a rigorous peer review for the teachers. Regarding students evaluation, many of us in JNU practice this to understand students' perception on courses and teaching-learning methods. But if we bring it for promotions, two things can happen. Colleagues can instigate students, which we know happens or students would evaluate on the basis of which teacher is lenient in giving marks or don't take attendance. Even in the West, students evaluation is delinked from administrative action.''
manash.gohain@timesgroup.com

Union protests Sixth Pay recommendations

Members of the North Bengal University Officers’ Association (NBUOA) staged a two-hour dharna today to protest against the Sixth Pay Review Committee recommendations.The All India Federation of University Administrators (AIFUA) wing held the demonstration in front of the administrative office inside the North Bengal University campus at Shivmandir near Siliguri from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., as part of a nation-wide stir led by the AIFUA. They alleged implementation of the committee's recommendations will create a huge disparity in the salaries of the university officers and teachers. The protesters also submitted a memorandum to the Union human resource development minister, Mr Arjun Singh through the vice-chancellor, NBU, urging the minister to ensure salary parity between academicians and administrators under the new UGC pay structure.Mr Mahbub-ul-Alam, secretary, NBUOA, who lambasted the Sixth Pay Review Committee headed by Prof GK Chaddha for not recommending any hike in the salaries or perks of university officers, said if the committee suggestions were implemented, a lecturer would get at least Rs 7,500 more than an university administrator. The disparity, he pointed out, would create a huge gap in the socio-economic status of academicians and administrators, who have almost the same qualities and qualifications.The secretary claimed that despite repeated requests by the AIFUA to the HRD ministry to disclose the terms and conditions of the committee since it was formed in 2006, the ministry has not told them whether the committee would also consider an increase in their salaries and allowances.Mr Alam lashed out at the committee, which submitted its report on 6 October, 2008, completely ignoring their “needs and demands”. He feared that if its recommendations were implemented, teachers would stop applying for administrative posts.The secretary said the West Bengal wing of the NBUOA would meet in Kolkata tomorrow to decide on the future course of their agitation.

Other side of Pay Scales!

The 104-year-old women’s college in Shimla faces the threat of closure after the state government slashed financial support to the premier institution. Pratibha Chauhan reports from Shimla
IN 1967 the management of St Bede’s College wanted to move out of Shimla, but the Himachal Pradesh Government stepped in to stop the relocation. Four decades later, now it is the management of the college that wants the state government to intervene and prevent the closing down of the 104-year-old institution.
St Bede’s, one of India’s first women’s colleges, is facing a severe resource crunch and is on the verge of closure. The college is trying to get the government to bail it out.
Over 40 years earlier the then chief minister, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar, had made a special request to the college authorities to stay put and keep going. At that point of time the management had been considered closing down the college to open another one in Delhi. But it had agreed to the government’s request, as several dignitaries in the state did not want such a reputed college to close down.
Today the college management, run by the Congregation of Jesus and Mary, wants the state government to bail them out of this financial crisis.
“But is it fair to equate a college with a 104-year-old illustrious history and contribution towards women’s education and empowerment with a practically unknown newly opened college that is still finding its roots.”
Since the college relies heavily on the government help, the threat of closure looms large over it because the 95 per cent grant-in-aid being given to it has been reduced drastically, leading to a grave financial crisis. The decision to reduce the grant has come in wake of a High Court order after another private college filed a petition seeking a similar amount of aid as is being received by St Bede’s College. The order directed the state government to treat 18 other private colleges in the state on a par with the four educational institutions, including the renowned St Bede’s College, with respect to 95 per cent grant-in-aid. Till March this year only four private colleges received 95 per cent grant, while all the others received much less.
"But is it fair to equate a college with a 104-year-old illustrious history and contribution towards women’s education and empowerment with a practically unknown newly opened college that is still finding its roots," asks Sister Molly Abraham, Principal of the college. Though anguished over the government decision to reduce the grant-in-aid to 50 per cent, closure of the college would only be the last resort in case things do not work out, she says.
"Closing down a century-old-college is not easy but then where do I get the money to pay the salaries of the 53 members of the staff having the UGC scale," she inquires. The pain of almost everyone who has ever been associated with the college in any capacity is understandable as over the years St Bede’s has successfully tread the path of value education, without which education is practically worthless.
The alumni, too, are pained at the very thought of their college closing down but at the same time feel the management could certainly explore other options. "It is an institute which gave us a strong foundation, based on moral and ethical values. It feels sad to hear such kind of news but the college authorities should focus on resource mobilisation rather than considering closure," says former student Parminder Mathur, Additional Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh. She had passed out in 1969.
There are others who echo similar sentiments while giving full credit to the college for having come such a long way. "Why should private colleges look towards the government for support, more so when a college like St Bede’s can take advantage of its long standing and elite status in the field of education," point out many government college teachers.
Those who have remained associated with St Bede’s are not only feeing nostalgic but emotional about the place where they have spent some of their most memorable years. Babli Mohan, who was the college admiral way back in 1959, feels the government should not let down such an old college, which has turned out many a teacher and students of quality. She says the alumni are willing to do whatever they can to save the institution. "How can the government remain a mute spectator to the death of an institution, which has not only contributed towards women’s education since 1904 when there were very few colleges in the region but also produced quality teachers," says Neeta Khanna, another former student from the 1971 batch, who is now heading the teacher training course in the college.
P.S. Chandel, who heads the Chemistry department, has been teaching here since 1976. "There could be a change of regime but this should not affect the running of a college which has a century-old tradition. Also in the twilight of our careers where can we go in case the college closes down," he says.
With a student strength of 1,200 and 120 hostellers, the college charges only Rs 50 as tuition fee from the undergraduate students, which, too, is deposited in the government treasury. "We are told to adopt a higher fee structure but would it be fair to do so when women’s education has been made free till the graduation level and we start charging exorbitantly," questions Principal Molly.
Efforts to generate resources through self-financing courses like Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) have failed to deliver the desired results. With the courses being offered by the Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) and other government institutions at much lesser fee, there are few takers. Even those who join the course, leave midway when they get admission in other colleges having lesser fee, not just wasting a seat but also seeking refund of the fee paid by them. Four such cases of fee refund are currently subjudice.
Meeting the annual salary bill of about Rs 1.80 crore to pay the 53 UGC scale holder teachers is the biggest challenge. Besides this the college has around 24 teachers on contractual basis. Faced with a severe financial crisis on reduction of the grant-in-aid, the college has enhanced the hostel fee to Rs 1 lakh per annum from Rs 62,000. "With the hike in hostel fees now there are very few takers. Against the 200 seats in the boarding only 120 have been filled," says Mother Superior, Sister Rosina.
"The Chief Minister must come to our rescue as I am sure even he would not want to see such an old institution dying for want of funds despite rendering valuable service in the field of education," says Sister Rosina, who, too, graduated from here in 1971.
The college authorities say the struggle is not just for survival but also to protect the interest of the 53 UGC scale staff so that they do not suffer at this stage in their career. Besides this the hostel staff of about 20 also gets government scales so that nobody remains underpaid. The enhanced salaries, on account of the Sixth Pay Commission, will further burden the already strained economy of the college.
Correcting some misconceptions Sister Molly says, "Our accounts are audited by the HPU and the government so there is nothing to hide and the fact that we get foreign or outside aid is simply a misconception as we manage our own affairs as an independent institution under the Congregation of Jesus and Mary."
Other staff members hasten to add that more than 50 students from the economically weaker sections are being provided free education at the college, so it is not just the college for the privileged.
The admiral of the college, Prerna Stephen, is in the final year so closure of the college would not affect her directly. But she is equally pained, "Everyone is nostalgic about their college and would not want it to be closed down but this particular closure will deny so many girls the privilege of quality education which prepares them for life," she says.

St. Bede’s has produced many quality teachers, says Neeta Khanna, a former student, and head of the teacher training course
IT was the dream and vision of Mother St Clare that saw St Bede’s make a humble beginning with a mere 15 students enrolled for the teacher-training course in March 1904. The aim was to train capable and highly efficient teachers, who could provide and maintain high academic standards in Northwest India.
She entrusted the task of running the college to Mother St Gregory from England, who was its first Principal. The college started in a building adjoining Chelsea, which, too, had started as an orphanage for the children of the British soldiers in 1864. Sister Felicity from France was in charge of the kitchen, she kept it so clean and organised that the wives of different Viceroys made it a point to visit the Bede’s kitchen as it was worth seeing.
Despite the turmoil in 1947, the college coursed through the difficult times with courage and fortitude. The heat of communal riots after the Partition was felt in Shimla, too, but it braved the turbulent days. There were some Muslim students in the college but their safe passage to Lahore was ensured.
After Independence, the college, which had catered to the needs of Christian girls till now, threw open its doors to students of all faiths. Undergraduate classes were started. In 1970 the college became affiliated to Himachal Pradesh University. A year later science course, English honours and home science courses were introduced.
With the burgeoning numbers and ever-expanding curriculum, the college grew in size and stature. Notwithstanding its image of a college for the elite and the glamour-struck, its students bag more than half of the top 10 positions in the merit list, especially in the arts stream, every year.

Likely Delay Due To Elections

NEW DELHI: The model code of conduct for elections is set to derail education minister Arjun Singh’s plans to announce a raise for university and college teachers by Diwali.
Top officials in the ministry went into a huddle today to discuss the likely delay amid fears that it could hurt the UPA in the elections.
On October 8, Singh had asked his department to finalise the pay hikes proposed for over five lakh college and university teachers in time for Diwali.
But any announcement of a raise now will be described by the Opposition as “allurement”, illegal when the model code of conduct is in force, officials said.
The model code came into effect today when elections to five states — Delhi, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh — were announced. It will remain in force till December 4, the last day of polling.
Singh was hauled up by the Election Commission in 2006 for promising OBC quotas in central higher education institutions just ahead of state polls that year. He is unlikely to risk a repeat, sources said.
A University Grants Commission pay panel headed by G.K. Chadha had earlier this month recommended pay hikes ranging from 75 per cent to over 100 per cent for teachers. The recommendations have been accepted by the UGC and the ministry is finalising them, the sources said.
“But now, even if we finalise the salary hikes, we will in all probability be unable to implement the raise till December 4,” a senior official said.
These concerns were debated at a late afternoon meeting of ministry officials under higher education secretary R.P. Agrawal, the sources said.
Over the past two months, teachers’ unions across the country have repeatedly protested against perceived delays in announcing a raise.
The Chadha committee, set up on September 5, 2007, was expected to submit its final report within a year. But the panel submitted its report this month.
The promised raise will be valid not just for central university teachers but also for state-run colleges or universities recognised by the UGC.
“Angry teachers are not good for the UPA ahead of these elections. The delay could turn this chunk of influential voters away from the government,” a senior official said.

University teachers may get fatter pay packets

University teachers are likely to get fatter pay packets soon with the HRD Ministry expected to take a final view on the UGC Pay Review Committee recommendations by the end of this week. "A deadline has been fixed by the Ministry to complete the whole process by October before the proposal is sent to the Cabinet for approval," a senior ministry official told the news agency on Wednesday.He said next week, the cabinet note is expected to be ready and it will be sent to Health, Finance and Agriculture ministries for their views as certain institutions come under these.To expedite the new pay package, senior ministry officials have held intense discussions on the issue during the past two days.The UGC had sent the report of the G K Chadha Committee which recommended over 70 per cent hike in the salary structure of university teachers.Allaying fears that implementation of new pay scales could amount to violation of the Model Code of Conduct which has come into force in five poll-bound states, the official said a similar situation had cropped up during 2006 when the superannuation age of central university teachers was raised though Uttar Pradesh was in election mode."Moreover, this in not a new announcement. It is just the completion of the process of pay revision initiated long time back," he said.

NAVBHARAT TIMES, 14 Oct, 2008

UGC has made modifications in 6 PRC report and forwarded to HRD with recommendation of Rs 37400-67000 with grade pay of Rs 8700 to Assist. professor (SG) & Deputy Librarian/Physical education Reader. UGC has also recommended grade pay of Rs 10000 with pay Band IV (37400-67000) to Senior Associate professor.

REPRESENTATION SUBITTED TO UGC & VI PAY REVIEW COMMITTEE BY AIFUCTO

AIFUCTO would like to place on record its appreciation for the hard work put in by the PRC, especially by Chairman Prof.G.K. Chadda, for submitting its recommendations without further delay and for recommending uniform and simultaneous implementation of the entire pay package from 1.1.2006 and incorporating the provision for 100% central financial assistance for the first 5 years and 50% for the next five for the effective implementation of the scheme. This is indeed a historical recommendation. AIFUCTO is also in general agreement with the efforts taken by the PRC to link the pay review with the requirement of promotion of the quality of education in universities and colleges, by attracting young men and women to the profession through a scheme of special incentives and retaining experienced teachers in the stream by advancing the age of superannuation and by providing new avenues for their career advancement. AIFUCTO also appreciates the concern of PRC for resolving the anomalies in the implementation of V Pay Review Report, which has been the cause of considerable heart burn among a large number of teachers with a long tenure of service. We record our sincere thanks to the entire PRC team and Prof.H.C.Narang, the Consultant for the excellent coverage of the issues and making many path-breaking recommendations which would have far reaching impact on the improvement of quality in higher education in India.
At the same time, it is a matter of serious concern that the laudable objectives of the PRC have not been fully translated into a workable package, especially in regard to CAS in respect of teachers in universities and colleges with long experience as also in respect of the pay scales of senior teachers vis-à-vis their counterparts in other professions. Moreover, the language of some of the crucial recommendations is so vague and general that it would be very difficult to get them implemented at the State level unless clear clarifications are incorporated into the text of the recommendations at the initial stage itself.
Considering the above, AIFUCTO would like to represent the following specific issues for the consideration of the UGC at its meeting on 7-10-2008, which is convened to discuss the PRC recommendations.
(1) CAS to Senior Professor in Universities.
The recommendation in 5.9.2. notes that Professors who have completed 10 years of service may be promoted to the post of senior professors. Such teachers are very senior in the university system ,but the mechanism noted in the recommendations are not doing justice to their positions. A more honorable criteria and a higher grade pay should be recommended by UGC .
(2) CAS to Senior Associate Professor
We complement the PRC for recommending third promotion to the teachers. The long pending demand of AIFUCTO for third promotion to all teachers needs no further justification other than that such promotion is available to all classes of central government employees , which is fully reflected in the 6th CPC recommendations ,and which has already been implemented. While the PRC has applied the logic and scheme of CPC recommendations in almost all other cases, its failure to apply the same standards in respect of CAS for college and university teachers is incomprehensible. The recommendations in 5.9.1., 5.9.8., and 5.9. 10.1., of the PRC Report lay down such rigorous criteria for the selection process and eligibility criteria that most of the senior teachers will not be able to avail the benefit of third promotion, which is available to other sections of employees as a matter of routine. In the absence of a scheme ensuring third promotion to all incumbent teachers, the extension of the date of superannuation will only help to retain a large number of dissatisfied teachers in service which will defeat the very objective of the enhancement of the retirement age. Apart from the fact that the eligibility criterion laid down in 5.10.1. of the report is at variance with that laid down in 5.9.8, in some details, the conditions privilege research over teaching, which is contradictory to the general guidelines on CAS of the PRC in 5.9.5, which states as follows:
‘Since opportunities for research work in most colleges are practically non-existent and teachers have heavy class room work load , it is recommended that for college teachers , greater emphasis may be laid on actual class room teaching ,holding tutorials, conducting examinations and evaluating answer scripts and lesser emphasis on research work while considering them for promotion under CAS.’
While not fully sharing PRC’s implied perception that research is per se superior to teaching and that contribution to teaching may be treated on par with research in the absence of adequate opportunities for research , AIFUCTO would insist that PRC at least apply its own logic in the implementation of the scheme of CAS by treating teaching on par with research .
AIFUCTO’s position in respect of the CAS to Senior Associate Professor is as follows:
1. All teachers who have completed 6 years of service in the selection grade as on 1-1-2006 should be placed in the post of Senior Associate Professor, as a matter of routine, without insisting on undergoing the formality of a selection process, as was done in the implementation of CAS during the last pay revision.
2. The avenue for third promotion should be available to all teachers in service as on 1-1-2006, without insisting on their acquiring additional qualification of PHD, on the basis of criteria applicable to promotions CAS for senior scale and selection grade.
3. The scheme for promotion to the post of Senior Associate Professor should be implemented along the following lines in respect of all teachers appointed after 1-1-2006.Teaching, Research and Extension are three dimensions in higher education, which are treated on a par by Kothari Commission and UGC and contributions to teaching /extension should be given equal weightage as contributions to research while considering the eligibility conditions for promotion under CAS. Criteria in this respect should be evolved in such a way as would give the benefit of CAS to all teachers, with insistence only on minimum qualifications and attainments.



3) CAS for College Librarians and DPEs
The AIFUCTO has been demanding for a long time the complete parity of librarians and DPEs with teachers. But this has not been done by the PRC.
The age of retirement is not at par with the teachers which is 65 years. We want this age of retirement should be recommended by the UGC.
The issue of CAS of college librarians and DPEs has not been resolved. The matter should be taken up and settled immediately. There are existing guidelines adopted by UGC and the Meherotra Committee . AIFUCTO will provide all assistance to resolve the issue.
The professor post for these cadres for both PG and UG colleges are to be recommended.
(4)CAS from 1-1-96

AIFUCTO fully appreciates PRC’s commitment to the rectification of anomalies in the implementation of Vth Pay review Committee Report, especially that of the anomaly caused by the implementation of CAS from 27-7-1998 instead of 1-1-96, which is reflected in the following recommendation of the PRC in section 5.19 of the Report.
That all regularly appointed teachers in universities and colleges who were selected as per the University Grants Commission guidelines and were in service 0n 1-1-1996 should be given the benefits of pay scale and allowances as well as other benefits recommended by the last pay review committee w.e.f.1.1.1996
Though the objectives and intentions of the PRC are clear enough, the benefit intended by PRC would be pipe dream for teachers , unless it is clearly stated that CAS will be implemented from 1-1-1.996. It is requested that clause 5.19. be suitably modified accordingly.
The recommendation in chapter VI that teachers who were in the scale of Associate Professor/Assistant Professor (Selection grade) on 1.1.1996 and who completed five years between1.1.1996 and 27.7.1998 should be placed at Rs 14940/- basic would take away existing benefits rather than confer new benefits on teachers. As it is, all teachers who are on selection grade as on 1-1-96 get the benefit of placement at Rs. 14940/- irrespective of whether they complete five years on 27-7-98 in the selection grade. Extension of the same benefit to teachers who are placed in the selection grade as on 27-7-98, which is a laudable objective, would require the modification of the recommendation by clearly stating that those who are placed in the selection grade as on 27-7-98 will be eligible for the benefit of placement under 14940/- as and when they complete 5 years in the selection grade. Suitable modifications may be made in Chapter VI accordingly.
(5)Revised Pay Scales for Assistant Professor (Selection Grade)/Associate Professor (Reader)
Recommended pay scales for senior teachers are unsatisfactory and needs a re-look.
It may be noted that the existing pay scale, Rs. 12000 -420 – 18300, was given after merging the scales S-23, S-24 and S-25, i.e. Rs. 12000 -375 – 18000, Rs. 14300 -400 – 18300, and Rs. 15100 -400 – 18300. While S-23 has been kept in PB-3, the others, S-24 and S-25, have been included under PB-4 by the CPC. The principle of parity with CPC ,which has been followed PRC in most cases ,has been ignored in recommending PB-3 scale of Rs. 15600 - 39100 + GP Rs. 8000 for Assistant Professor/Associate Professor .In view of the above , the existing scale for Assistant Professor (selection Grade)/Associate Professor(Reader) should be appropriately raised and its equivalents in PB-4 .
(6)Professorship in colleges
Professorship should be instituted for both PG and UG courses, applying the same criterion of scholarship, irrespective of the level at which one is teaching. This would facilitate the mobility of teachers across universities and colleges as envisaged in the PRC Report.
(7) Retired teachers case
AIFUCTO would request that certain financial assistance be given to the states for granting higher pension and other financial benefits to the retired teachers. The case of retired teachers was presented before the PRC but it is unfortunate that there is no recommendation to this effect.
AIFUCTO would request the UGC to discuss the above representation at its meeting to be held on 7/8-10-2008 and to make suitable modifications in the Pay Review Committee Report before recommending it for implementation to the Central Government.
AIFIUCTO’s views on other recommendations in the report, including representations for further modification of the report, if any, will be submitted in due course.
Thomas Joseph Asok Barman
President General Secretary

UGC PRC punished Readers

In the Chadha Committee Report the middle level teachers (Associate Professors) have been punished like middle class is punished in the society.
Honourable HRD minister is requested to consider this fact. The Associate Professor should be placed in PB 4 as per revised CPC. It is crystal clear that the old scale ending with Rs 18300/- would be placed in PB 4 and the increment is even higher i.e. Rs 420/- than other scales which have been considered for PB 4. Chadha commitee downgraded the post of READER! The committee should have recommended higher than CPC for READERS. A READER after 20 years of the service and a newly recruited Assistant Professor would sail in the same boat! On the other hand a newly selected Professor would get as much as 85-90% more salary than an old poor READER and the hike in per se salary is also 85-90%. I do not understand why the committee has recommended this? READERS might have done something wrong in the past with ........?, otherwise sometimes the hometake salary of a READER was more than a Professor during 4th pay commission. Now there would be a deep and wide gap between the salaries of READERS and Professors. READERS are in between a 'Lathi' and 'Bhint (wall)'. I think still natural justice is there. The UGC and HRD are requested to give as per 6th CPC to the READERS, not much is demanded.The age of retirement should not be more than 58 years which would make the country like a shining star on the globe. Every body knows that what an older people can do for the teaching and research.

‘Where will the faculty come from?’

Express News Service
BANGALORE: With the Central government on a blitz to expand higher education in the country - 16 central universities, 14 world class universities, 8 IITs, 6 IIMs, 20 NITs and 370 degree colleges - an important question is where will the government find the faculty for these institutions?
Former IISc director Prof G Padmanabhan has been pondering over this and other questions over the last few months as a member of the University Grants Commission’s(UGC) sixth pay review committee(PRC).
In a chat with The Express, Prof Padmanabhan says that the Central government is starting nearly 80-90 new institutions under the XIth Five Year Plan. “If we assume that each institution requires a minimum of 100 faculty members, that will amount to around 10,000 posts that need to be filled,” he says. “From where do we fill all these?” he asks.
Besides, the PRC also found that each university had vacancies for around 50-100 faculty positions, which have not been filled for a long time. “With a total of 400 universities across the country, this amounts to 20,000 vacancies. Taken along with new positions created, that is a total of 30,000 vacancies that the government is looking to fill,” he says.
The former director also feels that the pay hike is only one important component of attracting faculty. Prof Padmanabhan says that while the government is concerned with building classrooms and lecture halls, quality faculty will be attracted only by modern research facilities.
“However, lab facilities usually take around 3-5 years to develop in new institutions. Fresh Ph.D holders particularly cannot wait that long to start with research,” he adds.
It may be mentioned that earlier this year, the Chairman of Prime Minister’s Scientific Advisory Council, Prof C N R Rao, had shot a letter to HRD Minister Arjun Singh on the government’s decision to start six IITs this year.
Prof Rao had criticised the government for setting up so many institutions at the same time, without any adequate planning.
Eligibility criteria
On the issue of eligibility criteria for teachers, Prof Padmanabhan says that the current practice of exempting M.Phil and Ph.D degree holders from the National Eligibility Test(NET) needs introspection. While the pay review committe has now made NET mandatory for M.Phil holders, it has taken an ambivalent position on Ph.D candidates. “It was felt that the output or research papers of Ph.D students had to be taken into consideration before exempting them from NET,” he added.

FEDCUTA opposes promotion based on students evaluation

New Delhi Saturday, Oct 11 2008 ISTThe Federation of Central Universities' Teachers Association (FEDCUTA) today opposed the UGC appointed Chadha Committee recommedation on linking students evaluation and peer review with promotion of teachers.In a meeting held here today, the Association demanded that promotion to professorship in colleges of Central Universities must be introduced, on the line of the Government's policy to grant three promotions in one's career.It also demanded that readers, associate professors and lecturers, who were in the pre-revised scale of 12000-18300, must be placed in the pay band 4 instead of PB 3 as recommended by the UGC appointed Chadha Committee.In a statement, FEDCUTA president A N Misra said the existing four-tier structure--lecturer, lecturer in senior scale, reader and professor--should not be disturbed and accordingly the hierarchies sought to be introduced among professors and readers should be scrapped.He said the parity of librarian and computer professionals with that of pay scale, retirement age, study leave and entitlement due to research must be provided for.He said the Association will be forced to agitate if these issues are not resolved amicably.http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20081011/1075640

97
9 Librarian/Director of
PE
16400-450-20900-500-
22400
37400-67000 11000
10 Deputy
Librarian/Deputy
Director of PE
12000-420-18300 15600-39100 8000
11 Asstt Librarian (Sr.
Scale)/ Asstt Director
of PE (Sr. Scale)
10000-15200 15600-39100 7200
12 Asstt Librarian/
Asstt Director
PE/Sports
Officer/Physical
Instructor
8000-275-13500 15600-39100 6600
B. POSTS SPECIFIC TO COLLEGES
1 Assistant Professor
8000- 275-13500 15600 – 39100 6600
2 Assistant Professor
(Senior Scale)
10000 – 325 – 15200 15600 – 39100 7200
3 Assistant Professor
(Selection Grade)/
Associate Professor
12000 -420 – 18300 15600 - 39100 8000
4 Senior Associate
Professor
New Post Proposed 37400 – 67000
8700
5 Professor in PG
Colleges
New Post Proposed 37400 - 67000 11000
6 a. Principal of UG
College
b. Principal of PG
College
12000-18300
16400-450-20900-500-
22400
37400-67000
Plus 2 Adv increments.
37400-67000
Plus 2 Adv increments
8700
11000
7 College Librarian /
Director of PE/
Sports Officer/ PI
8000-13500 15600-39100 6600
8 College Librarian/
Director PE (Senior
Scale)
10000-15200 15600-39100 7200
9 College
Librarian(S.G)/
Director of Physical
Education (SG)
12000-18300 15600-39100 8000
10 *Senior College
Librarian (Selection
Grade)Senior
College DPE
(Selection Grade)
New Post Proposed 37400-67000 8700
* The eligibility condition for promotion for this position may better be decided by the UGC in
consultation with the special committee heading by a Senior Professor of Library / senior
professor of Physical education

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Annual Increment
3% of the Basic Salary( Basic Pay + Grade Pay) with compounding effect
4% of the Basic Salary(Basic Pay + Grade Pay)with compounding effect for 2 years
for a select few 25% in the Pay Band Rs. 15600-39100 on the basis of better
teaching and research performance. Fresh appraisals to be made after two years.
The Committee recommends that annual increments may be allowed to the teachers
in the similar way as applicable to Central Government employees.
Pay Fixation Formula
The Pay Fixation formula evolved by the VI Central Pay Commission should be
adopted without any change.
Stagnation Removal
An incumbent after reaching the top of the scale in the pay band shall move to the
next pay band without any change in the grade pay.
Increments for Higher Qualifications/on Promotion.
Five advance increments instead of present four to a Ph.d degree holder at the time
of recruitment as Assistant Professor.
Three advance increments instead of present two to an M.Phil degree holder at the
time of recruitment as Assistant Professor.
Three advance increments to an incumbent holding M.Tech, M.D., M.S. L.L.M.
degree at the time of recruitment as Assistant Professor.
Two advance increments to an incumbent who joins as Assistant Professor with
basic M.A./MSc./M.Com etc. with NET/SET examination qualifications.
Two advance increments to an incumbent who joins as /Associate Professor in open
selection.
Two advance increments to an incumbent on being promoted as /Associate
Professor under CAS.
Three advance increments instead of present two to an in-service teacher on
completing Ph.d. degree.
Two advance increments instead of present one to an in-service teacher on
completing M.Phil degree.

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A selection committee may recommend upto seven instead of present five advance
increments to an incumbent with higher merit, better publications and more
experience etc.
All advance increments to be given on non-compounding basis
Allowances
House Rent Allowance
30% of basic salary for Category X cities(A-1 earlier) population 50 lakhs and above)
20% of basic salary for Category Y cities (A, B-1, B-2 earlier) population between 5
and 50 lakhs)
10% of basic salary for Category Z cities (C and unclassified earlier) (population
below 5 lakhs)
City Compensatory Allowance Abolished
Transport Allowance
Rs. 3200/-plus DA thereon per month for A-1/A Class cities (13 notified cities)
Rs. 1600/- plus DA thereon per month for other Cities
Children’s Education Allowance (CEA)
Rs. 1000/- per child per month for upto a maximum of two children
Rs 3000/- per child per month for those residing in hostel, for upto two children.
However, both hostel subsidy and children education allowance cannot be availed of
concurrently.
Academic Allowance
Rs. 1500/- per month for Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor(Senior Scale),
Assistant Professor(Selection Grade)
Rs. 1200/- per month for Associate Professor, Senior Associate Professor, Professor
and Professor.

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Research Promotion Grant (RPG)
The PRC recommends that new entrants to the profession should be given one time
start up seed money of Rs. 2.00 lakhs and Rs. 5.00 lakhs for humanities/social
sciences and sciences respectively as financial support for carrying out research
against duly approved projects.
Special Compensatory (Hill Area) Allowance
The Committee has taken note of the problems in filling the posts in the hill districts
and therefore recommends that a Special Compensatory (Hill Area) Allowance of
Rs.600 per month may be allowed to teachers posted in these areas as notified by
the Central/ State Governments.
Special Compensatory (Remote Locality) Allowance
The Committee has taken note of the large number of vacancies of teachers in the
remote areas and feels some special compensation is called for to attract teachers to
work in the remote areas. The Committee therefore recommends Special
Compensatory (Remote Locality) Allowance to the teachers as admissible to the
Central Government employees on the terms and conditions governing the grant of
Special Compensatory (Remote Locality) Allowance.
Provided that in places where more than one Special Compensatory Allowance is
admissible, the teachers in such stations will have the option to choose between the
allowances (mentioned at 5.2.13 and 5.2.14 above) whichever benefits them the
most.
Special (Duty) Allowance for Teachers Serving in North Eastern Region
including Sikkim and Ladakh
The Committee recommends a Special (Duty) Allowance at the rate of 12.5% on pay
plus grade pay to teachers serving in these areas as applicable to Central
Government employees.
Deputation Allowance
5% for local deputation subject to a maximum of Rs. 2000.
10% for outstation deputation subject to a maximum of Rs. 4000.
Leave Travel concession
LTC travel to Home Town three times in a four year block, not exceeding once in a
year.
LTC may be allowed for any place in India once in a block of four years. Thus four
LTC in a block of 4 years but not exceeding one in any one year.

Summary of UGC Report

SUMMING UP
The Pay Review Committee after detailed deliberations has made the following
recommendations about various aspects of revision of pay and allowances, service
and working conditions of teachers, Librarians, Directors of Physical Education and
other Academic Staff in colleges and universities recognized by the University
Grants Commission.
I New Nomenclature for various teaching posts
Assistant Professor for Lecturer
Assistant Professor(Senior Scale) for Lecturer(Senior Scale)
Assistant Professor(Selection Grade) for Lecturer (Selection Grade)
Associate Professor for Associate Professor
Senior Associate Professor New Position
Professor for Professor
Senior Professor New Position
Professor of Eminence New Position
II New Scales of Pay and Allowances
Table- 5.1
EXISTING AND PROPOSED SCALES OF PAY FOR
UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE TEACHERS
A. POSTS SPECIFIC TO UNIVERSITIES
CATEGORY EXISTING PAY SCALE NEW PAY BAND GRADE
PAY
1 Assistant Professor
8000- 275-13500 15600 – 39100 6600
2 Assistant Professor
(Senior Scale)
10000 – 325 – 15200 15600 – 39100 7200
3 Assistant Professor
(Selection Grade)/
Associate Professor
12000 -420 – 18300 15600 - 39100 8000
4 Professor
16400-450-20900-500-
22400
37400 - 67000 11000
5 Senior Professor
New Post Proposed 37400 - 67000 12000
6 Pro-VC
18400—500-22400. 37400-67000
Plus 4 Adv increments
12000
7 Professor of
Eminence
New Post Proposed 80000 (fixed) Nil
8 Vice – Chancellor 25000 (Fixed) 80000 (Fixed) Nil

UGC panel recommends hike in pay scale of varsity teachers

New Delhi (PTI): In what could bring cheers to the university teachers, the UGC-Pay Review Committee on Friday recommended a whopping over 70 per cent pay hike with additional allowances and new positions to academics.
The committee, headed by Prof G K Chadha, today submitted its report to the UGC Chairman Prof Sukhadeo Thorat.
As per the recommendations, at the entry level, a faculty member will join as an assistant professor, not as a lecturer as earlier, and his new pay band will be between Rs 15,600 to Rs 39,100. The teacher at the entry level will be entitled for a grade pay of Rs 6,600. At present, a lecturer's pay scale is between Rs 8,000 to Rs 13,500.
For assistant professor, assistant professor (senior scale) and assistant professor (senior grade), the pay band will between Rs 15,600 to Rs 39,100 while the grade pay will vary, Chadha told reporters here.
A teacher will be entitled for annual increment of three per cent of the basic salary with compounding effect. Certain teachers with good performance record can get four per cent annual increment.
Similarly, the committee has recommended a new band pay between Rs 37,400 to Rs 67,000 for professor against the existing scale of Rs 16,400 to Rs 22,400.
"We have recommended more that 70 per cent hike in the scale of pay for various posts. For certain posts, the proposed hike is more than 90 per cent," Chadha said.
The hike would benefit more than five lakh teachers in over 400 universities and over 6,000 colleges in the country.

Teachers won't get revised pay

NEW DELHI: Professors, readers and lecturers at Central and state university and colleges are angry as the UGC committee headed by Prof. Chaddha has not submitted the report to the HRD ministry and the same has not issued any notification for revision of salary as per the sixth pay commission’s recommendation. Most government servants would be drawing revised salary on October 1 as per the sixth pay commission’s recommendations, but teachers would be drawing their salary as per the old scale. In a press interaction on 14th Sept. Prof. Chaddha clarified that the pay review commitee has completed its work and the report was to be written from the next week. Even after more than two weeks after that the report is nowhere. Fedration of central university teachers association(Fedcuta) and AIFUCTO, after a token protest have gone in hibernation . The teaching community is surprised that teacher's unions have maintained strict silence over that. Chaddha commitee's period to work is till 5th Oct.