Teachers of Punjab govt-aided colleges protest against ‘failed’ policies

On the instructions of the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, protests were held for two periods in 136 aided colleges in Punjab, including 22 in Ludhiana district, on Wednesday against what the union described as the Punjab government’s “failed policy”.

Ludhiana district president Dr Chamkaur Singh said that a protest was held for two periods in 22 aided colleges of Ludhiana district against the “failed policy” of the Punjab government.

He said that college professors have not received salaries for the past five months due to the Punjab government’s failure to release grants for aided colleges.

District Secretary Dr Sunder Singh added that by banning recruitment ordered by the High Court, the AAP government has presented its anti-education stance, which they condemned strongly.

Dr Rohit said that the Punjab government has reduced grants from 95 per cent to 75 per cent due to which the financial condition of aided colleges has deteriorated, for which the Punjab government is responsible.

Dr Raman Sharma alleged that the government wants to privatise higher education by abolishing government and aided colleges, and the teachers would oppose this policy.

Raising further concerns, Dr Varun Goyal questioned the inconsistent implementation of the 7^th Pay Commission.

“Why hasn’t it been implemented since September 2022? Why are gratuity payments being denied according to the revised pay scale? Who is responsible for this negligence?” he asked.

In protest against all these issues, PCCTU has announced a 2-hour dharna in all colleges from August 27 to August 29, a district-level candle march on September 2, and a state-level dharna in Mohali on September 5.

The union said it would put before the people the Punjab government’s “incompetence” in handling higher education issues.