Contractual teachers stage symbolic protest

Tribune News Service
Patiala, October 15

Demanding full pay scale, members of the Punjabi University Contractual Teachers’ Association (PUCTA) on Monday staged a symbolic protest seeking alms on the campus. 

The protesters went to students, professors and non-teaching staff to seek alms. They also sat in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office. The teachers said the university was facing a financial crisis and students should contribute to teachers’ salary. Many protesters sought Rs 1 per person as donation from students.

Over 130 contractual teachers appointed in 14 constituent colleges and neighbourhood colleges have been protesting on the university premises for over 15 days. During their protest, they have also not taken their classes in their respective colleges.

On Monday, the university was opened after 5 days due to protests by student organisations on the campus. Contractual teachers working in the University College of Engineering on the campus also joined them during their protest.

Professors working on contract said students in their respective colleges had also decided to hold protests against the university from Tuesday. They will hold protests as the contractual teachers have not taken classes in their colleges for over 15 days.

Dr Lovedeep Sharma, president, PUCTA, said, “Students in our colleges have started holding protests as classes are not taking place. Students of University College, Rampura Phul, sat on a dharna on Monday.”

The teachers said there were 10 regular and 16 contractual teachers in University College, Rampura Phul, one regular and two contractual teachers in University College, Barnala, and in University College, Bareta, guest teachers were teaching students.

The protesters also threatened to intensify their protest in the coming days if the university failed to fulfil their demands.

Dr Kirandeep Kaur, Director, Constituent Colleges, said, “We have already increased the salary of contractual teachers from Rs 21,600 to Rs 30,000. We are serious towards their problems and demands. The issue of full pay scale will be taken up at the next Syndicate meeting.”