Sirsa varsity’s contractual faculty seeks equal pay for equal work

The Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU) Contractual Teaching Association has urged the University Grants Commission (UGC) to address the issues faced by contractual and part-time professors in Haryana’s state universities in its upcoming UGC Regulations-2025.

In a letter addressed to the UGC Chairman, the association highlighted the unequal treatment of contractual faculty compared to their regular counterparts. Rakesh Saini, vice-president of the association, stated, “Contractual professors play a critical role in maintaining academic standards yet they face significant disparities in pay, job security and benefits. It is time these issues are resolved.”

The association proposed several key changes, including equal pay for equal work, annual increments and linking salaries to the 7th Pay Commission. They also demanded a uniform policy for regularising long-serving contractual faculty and ensuring their inclusion in decision-making processes.

Saini further added, “We are asking for fair treatment. Contractual professors should receive maternity and medical leave, opportunities for research grants and pension benefits just like regular faculty. These changes will uplift higher education standards in the country.”

The letter also called for transparent recruitment and promotion policies to ensure career growth for contractual faculty based on merit and performance.

The association hopes these recommendations will bring justice to thousands of contractual professors and improve the quality of higher education. Copies of the letter were sent to the Education Ministers at both the state and national levels.