SHIMLA: The college and university teachers through its Joint Action Committee (JAC) have freshly expressed their anguish against the government over non-implementation of announcement made by  Chief Minister from a public platform on 8th June at Mandi that the teachers would get  UGC Scales.

All University and College Teachers' Joint Action Committee met on a virtual platform and resolved unanimously that all university teachers will cease all type of academic and non-academic activities in all the universities from  28th June.

All the college teachers will also join this protest from 5th July, as the colleges are closed due to summer vacations till 4th July, JAC said reiterating their demands to which the  government remained indifferent so far.

Earlier it was on announcement of Chief Minister that the college teachers had deferred their agitation to honour this public statement,  said JAC office bearer Dr Ram Lal Sharma.

The JAC members had also met the Chief Minister at his residence on 16th June regarding this issue.

Chief Minister had assured that a high powered committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary would look into the matter and would submit a memorandum to the Cabinet for final approval.

“It is highly regretted that nothing of the sort happened in the latest Cabinet, as the committee did not submit its report, as usual”, JAC said.

It is a matter of grave concern that this important issue is being dragged unnecessarily to various committees.

What is most disheartening and appalling is that all the states have given UGC Pay Scales to their university and college teachers except the state of Himachal Pradesh, JAC said.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Chief Minister of Punjab has announced the UGC pay scales for their teachers in the recent budget speech on 25th June.  

Now, Himachal Pradesh is the only State/Union territory in India which is yet to implement the UGC pay-scales.

In spite of repeated requests and entreaties, the ‘double-engine’ government of Himachal Pradesh has failed to list any reason for the inordinate delay in implementing the UGC pay-scales for its teachers w.e.f. 1/1/2016.

The morale of the teaching fraternity is at its nadir and they are feeling extremely disappointed, let down and alienated due to this step-motherly treatment at the hands of their own government.

JAC  members firmly resolved to intensify their protest till they get their legitimate due. Thereafter, the college teachers will ensure complete ‘Education-Bandh’ in all colleges if the demand were not met.

It was also resolved that the teachers will not participate in any academic or non-academic activities.

The members of the Joint Action Committee  (JAC)were unanimously of the opinion that not just the government, but even the university authorities are not serious about the future of the students as the results of the UG classes are sure to be delayed due to the ongoing protest of the teachers.

The college teachers have not been evaluating the scripts of final exams of UG classes from the 12th of May, 2022.

The government and university authorities seem least bothered about the time and future of students, especially the outgoing students, who shall be denied a chance for higher education, especially in institutions outside the

state due to non-declaration of their UG results in time.

Escalating the insensitive attitude to next level, the university authorities are unilaterally claiming to introduce National Education Policy 2020 in all the colleges of the State from the coming academic session.

Keeping the interest of the students and the quality of education in mind, it is a matter of serious concern that the university authorities intend to impose NEP 2020 without holding proper deliberation with stakeholders and without even taking into account the ground realities of the status of higher education in the State, where out of 140 colleges, about 95 are running without Principals and there is shortage of about 1500 college teachers.

The university authorities, for earning brownie points for themselves are jeopardising the career of young students and deliberately compromising with the quality of higher education with this hasty implementation of NEP, 2020.

What is most alarming is the fact that the university authorities have turned a blind eye to the monumental failure of earlier RUSA, which claimed similar lofty ambitions.

On the university’s part, it is just a rat race to claim first position in the country for implementing NEP 2020, without taking into account the huge gulf between the ground reality and the cherished ideals enshrined in NEP 2020.

Therefore, the JAC requests the government to resolve their genuine and long overdue issues without any further delay, in the interest of education, students and for keeping the teaching fraternity motivated.