Varsity, college teachers call off stir

Aifucto general secretary Mrinmoy Bhattacharya said that as per the agreement with the minister, there would be no change in the pay scale as announced by the Fifth Pay Commission but a new scheme of incentive for teachers undertaking research would be introduced. Introduction of the scale simultaneously in all states and payment of arrears in a single instalment were the other highlights of the agreement, he added.

According to the decisions arrived at themeeting between Joshi and Aifucto president K K Theckedath and Bhattacharya, the government has agreed to take up with the Cabinet the issue relating to the fixation of pay scales of selection grade lecturers/readers who were selected strictly in accordance with the rules and regulations of the University Grants Commission (UGC) in consultation with the government.

“The lecturers/readers should also be in position on January one, 1996 in a manner that they get their pay fixed at the minimum of Rs 14,940 as and when they complete five years in the grade,” it was disclosed. The minister, however, expressed concern over the result of stoppage of work by the college and University teachers which had resulted in a “serious setback” to the students. He told Aifucto representatives during the discussions that the government expected that the teachers would take immediate steps not only to resume work but also to make up for lost time.

Stating that the Central government did not take any punitive actionagainst any of the teachers in respect of the ongoing strike, the minister said he expected that the state governments would also as a gesture of goodwill not take any such action, including a pay-cut, in the event of the teachers joining duty immediately.

The government agreed to take up the issues of implementation of enhanced scales with effect from January 1, 1996 with the Cabinet, the agreement stated, adding that it was further agreed that the adjustment of the total number of years of service along with service in the immediate feeder grade of promotion would be further discussed and finalised in consultation with the the UGC.

“The government would also be willing to consider the evolution of a scheme of professional development incentive in the form of cash allowance or assistance in kind or both to those lecturers who register for M Phil/PhD and whose pursuit of research is considered satisfactory by their grade,” the agreement disclosed. It said the nature and details of the scheme would befinalised in consultation with the UGC.

MUMBAI: General secretary of the Bombay University and College Teachers Union, S M Paranjape, confirmed that the strike had been called off following an “amicable settlement” between the agitating teachers’ union and the Union government.

“Teachers will resume work on Monday”, Paranjape told The Indian Express. K A Vishwanathan, a trustee of SIES college, said he was “happy with the news”. The colleges were awaiting guidelines form the University of Mumbai on compensation for the loss of working hours. “Of course, feelers have been received. The students will have to let go of both their Diwali and Christmas vacations,” Vishwanathan said.