SGU teachers’ stand boomerangs

Very few in the university were not convinced that the agitation was nothing but an attempt to settle scores with Kapadia. The only way the university can hike the remuneration is by increasing students fees as the State government has made it clear that the expenditure has to be borne by the university only.

Increase in the fees would have definitely set students against the vice-chancellor for delay in announcement of result was the last thing the university can afford. Kapadia, for nearly a fortnight, maintained that he had not received any memorandum from the association about their demand.

When he did receive the memorandum after two ultimatums given by the association had come a cropper he maintained that the university’s financially weak position simply did not allow it to effect any hike. Armed with figures, Kapadia maintained that two-fold increase in remuneration would burden the university close to Rs 1 crore.

The university is ready for negotiations but it is possible only after details of remuneration given to teachers of other universities were known.

Any increase in SGU would trigger off similar demands elsewhere. Given its statewide ramifications the proposal will have to be first put before the joint board of vice-chancellors, he maintained.

However, even after 10 days the university is yet to receive any details from other universities. While Kapadia says that he will call the teachers for negotiations only after getting the details, teachers find themselves caught on a wrong foot.

The tough stand taken by them has not gone down well with all teachers — especially when the Rastogi Commission has recommended hefty hikes in teachers’ salaries — as also students, who fear that if the stalemate continues their results would be delayed. Final year students who have appeared for competitive examinations or are seeking admissions to other universities would be the most affected lot.

Not for nothing that close aides of Kapadia were talking of a strategy to counter the proposed agitation by teachers. Less than a day, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad was out with a statement condemning teachers’ attitude and their insistence on more remuneration. Now even the principals’ association has joined them to criticise the teachers’ association.

Kapadia feels that assessment should be made non-remunerative as the job is compulsory and part of their duty. He claims he is still waiting for details from other universities and the registrar to return. Association secretary K K Desai says if the vice-chancellor does not invite them for talks, teachers will stick to their stand.

With many teachers, students and principals on his side, the vice-chancellor is sitting pretty in the power struggle.