Thousands of teachers working in universities and colleges of Punjab protested against the decision of the Punjab Government to delink Pay Scales from the UGC Pay Scales. The Federation held a two hour Dharna in respective campuses of the universities and colleges on February 19, 2021.
Teacher organisations from Panjab University, Chandigarh; Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar; Punjabi University, Patiala; Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana; Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana; Government Colleges of Punjab and non-government colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh have launched an agitation under the banner of the Punjab Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisation (PFUCTO).
Addressing a press conference, Dr Jagwant Singh, General Secretary, PFUCTO, said that they have been forced to launch an agitation as the Finance Department of the Punjab Government has decided to delink from the Pay Scales of the UGC which will have far reaching consequences for the Higher Education System of Punjab and Chandigarh.
He said, “The decision goes against the vision of framers of the Constitution of India that wanted the entire national education system to be an integrated one. It is this vision which had led to the establishment of the University Grants Commission in 1956.”
He further pointed out that it will not only put the teachers of the state to a disadvantage financially but will also block their mobility across the country. It will also disentitle universities and colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh from a number of Grants offered under various schemes of the UGC and the Government of India. Therefore, teachers will defend the rights of the institutions and the staff will full strength.
On February 24, the teachers of PAU, GADVASU and the colleges of Ludhiana, Moga, Ferozepur and Nawanshahar will stage a joint Dharna at PAU Ludhiana. On February 25, teachers of Panjab University and the colleges of Chandigarh, Hoshiarpur and Mohali will hold a joint Dharna at Panjab University, Chandigarh. On February 26, teachers of GNDU and the colleges of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarantaran, Pathankot, Jalandhar and Kapurthala will stage Dharna at Amritsar. On March 3, teachers of Punjabi University and the colleges of Patiala, Sangrur, Bathinda, Barnala, Fazilka, Abohar, Muktsar and Ropar will stage Dharna at Punjabi University, Patiala.
A state level protest will be held during the forthcoming Budget Session of Punjab Assembly. The conduct Of University examination and evaluation will be boycotted at a short notice.
The press conference was also attended by PUTA President Dr Mrityunjay Kumar, Finance Secretary PCCTU Dr Ghanshyam Dev and President Chandigarh District Council of PCCTU Dr Madhu Sharma.
