Higher education teachers in UP to get more salary

Source: (TNN 21 July 2009)


LUCKNOW: The state government has finally released the fitment tables, making way for the payment of "hiked salaries" to the higher education
teachers as per the recommendations of the University Grants Commission (UGC). However, the government order in this regard has failed to enthuse the teachers as it has come five months behind the schedule and does not include several key benefits recommended by the UGC such as increase in age of superannuation to 65 years and payment of arrears with effect from January 2006.

The UGC on the basis of the Chhadha Commission report, which was at par with the sixth pay commission, had recommended high pay scales for the teachers. The 80% of the expenses due to hike in the salary structure will be bore by the UGC and 20% by the state government. The UGC had also recommended to increase the superannuation age to 65 years, prescribed a new nomenclature for the posts and directed to pay arrears from January 2006. Further, the teachers were expecting that government order will include family planning increment, house rent allowance, maternity leave and child care leave.

"But barring fitment table, the government order does not mention anything else," said Moulindu Mishra, president, Lucknow University Associated College Teachers Association (LUACTA). He said that after release of fitment tables, teachers will start getting the enhanced pay. However, he added, that if government fails to take decision on other issues by July 28, LUACTA will take to streets. The teachers of the Lucknow University have also threatened to go on strike on the issue. In fact, efforts are also on to bring teachers from all over the state under one platform to launch a joint agitation.

Fitment tables define the salary slabs of the teachers as per their seniority and designations. The UGC had released the fitment tables long time ago following which the union ministry for human resource development had implemented the new scales in central universities. However, teachers in state universities, government and government-aided colleges had to wait for five months. The UGC guidelines on new scales also include increase in retirement age and make it mandatory for the state governments to follow all the recommendations for getting financial assistance required to implement the revised scales.