Lucknow University teachers demand implementation of sixth pay commission

19 Jun 2009, 0350 hrs IST, TNN





LUCKNOW: The Lucknow University Teachers Association (LUTA) on Thursday served an ultimatum to the state government for implementation of the Sixth
Pay Commission report within a month, failing which teachers would proceed on mass casual leave. The decision was taken at the general body meeting (GBM) of LUTA, which also unanimously denounced vice-chancellor Prof AS Brar's move to select heads of the department on the basis of the popularity and competency of the professor.

The LUTA general body meeting saw a huge turnout of teachers despite summer vacations. Teachers resolved that they would hold a demonstration on the campus on June 22 and will wear black bands as a mark of protest during the counselling for admissions starting from June 23. It was also decided that on June 25, LU teachers will hold a joint demonstration along with the teachers of the associated colleges in front of Gandhi statue in Hazratganj. Further, on July 1, teachers of the LU and associated colleges will take out march from the campus till Hazratganj in support of their demands. If their demands remain pending even after a month, teachers will take mass casual leave on July 17.

"Thereafter we will call an urgent meeting of the general body and take decision on striking work," said LUTA president Anil Shukla. Teachers are demanding implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission. Though government has issued an order but the recommendations have not been implemented as yet. The government also assured to give full arrears from January 2006 but has not issued an order so far. Similarly, orders related to increase the age of superannuation to 65 years as per the recommendations of the University Grants Commission has also not been issued as yet. Significantly, the 80% of the salary expenses will be borne by the Central government and state government has to pay only 20%. Further, the increase in the retirement age will not be an additional financial burden.

Teachers also passed a resolution denouncing vice-chancellor's decision to hold an interview and seek vote from the faculty members for selecting head of the department. Prof Brar says that the pattern is a democratic one and is already being followed in IITs and is aimed to bring excellence in the department. However, teachers with voice vote turned down the proposal saying that they want implementation of the UP State Universities Act which states that headship will be rotated among seniormost teachers of the department with a three years term.

LUTA president also tabled a proposal on the occasion which he claimed would be more "democratic" than appointing head on the basis of voting. Shukla said that vice-chancellor should visit the departments and interact with teachers and students. "He (vice-chancellor) should take suggestions from everyone and with the help of the head of the department prepare a vision draft. The head should be then directed to execute the draft. This will ensure participation of all the teachers and students and at the same time the seniormost teacher of the department will get the headship," he said. LUTA president's proposal was appreciated by majority teachers in the meeting