PUTA stages dharna

CHANDIGARH, Sept 23: Members of the Punjab University Teachers Association PUTA today staged a demonstration in front of the Vice-Chancellor8217;s office, to protest against the non-implementation of their various demands.

They also observed the National Protest Day on the call given by All India Federation of University Teachers8217; Association AIFUTA, to criticise the University Grants Commission8217;s order of 10 per cent cut on posts and non-planned, non-salary expenditure. The rally was addressed by PUTA president P.P. Arya, secretary Harjinder Singh and former president Dr Satya P Gautam.

The speakers said their demands included quot;non-payment of arrears, non-implementation of a viable pension scheme, wrong fixation of pay in new scales, denial of promotional benefits from January 1, 1996, non-implementation of super selection grade and ending the benefit of encashment of earned leave, among othersquot;.

Commenting on the UGC directives, Arya said: quot;Such directives would be disastrous for teaching and research and eventually for the overall progress of the country.quot; He said PUTA strongly urged the Central government to withdraw the decision and save the university system.