Examiners may shun assessment

MUMBAI, May 21: Over 150 examiners of Mumbai University have threatened to stop assessment work for the recently concluded TYBCom exams fro...

MUMBAI, May 21: Over 150 examiners of Mumbai University have threatened to stop assessment work for the recently concluded TYBCom exams from Thursday onwards as their demands of increasing allowances have not yet been fulfilled by the varsity.

The General Secretary of Bombay University and College Teachers’ Union (BUCTU), Dr S M Paranjape, told Express Newsline today: “Basically a charter of around eight related demands was submitted to the vice-chancellor in May last year. However, since no action was taken the examiners have decided to stop all assessment work.”

Adding that while BUCTU is trying its best to resolve the issue and avoid a delay in TYBCom exam results, Dr Paranjape said that Vice-Chancellor Dr Snehalata Deshmukh has already agreed to some of the demands. “However, nothing has yet been done to increase the assessment allowance from Rs 5 to Rs 10 per paper for examiners and to Rs 15 for moderators,” he informed.While the concerned examiners had submitted their memorandum on Saturday, BUCTU had met the vice-chancellor on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

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Dr Deshmukh informed the BUCTU delegation that she had already issued directives to increase the allowance paid to outstation examiners to compensate the hike in hostel charges, and also the daily allowance payable to all examiners, by Rs 50. She also assured that the average remuneration will be paid to all the chairmen as in the past.

Paranjape alleged that however, there was no assurance forthcoming from the university regarding the demand for increase of remuneration of examiners, moderators, and chief moderators necessitated by the steep all-round increase in prices. The remuneration was last revised five years ago, moreover, the university charges Rs 160 as examination fee for Commerce students of which barely Rs 40 is paid to the teachers. BUCTU demanded that the examination board should immediately concede the just demands of the examiners. It should also bring out a white paper on the manner in which money collected from the students is spent for examination purposes.

Paranjpe added that expeditious action should be taken by the university so that the impending cease-work’ by the examiners is averted. The vice-chancellor and the pro-vice chancellor were busy talking to the union representatives till late this evening. The university PRO was however hopeful that some solution would be worked out.