Letter to VC, 24-6-2016

Professor Yogesh Tyagi
Vice Chancellor
University of Delhi
Delhi 110009
24 June 2016

Subject: Regarding the Letter of the Joint Registrar, dated 23 June 2016, for the Preparation of Panel of eligible candidates for ad-hoc appointments

Dear Prof Tyagi,

A delegation of the DUTA comprising the Office Bearers and the two EC members had recently met the Director South Campus, Prof Khurana, who had been authorised by you to discuss the current concerns of teachers with the DUTA representatives. In this meeting, apart from a detailed discussion about the issue of retrospective application of the API scheme in DU, as well as the starting of permanent appointments with a correct GoI roster, we had expressed our concerns about reports that new guidelines were being prepared for ad-hoc appointments that would affect the re-appointment of the existing ad-hoc teachers. Prof Khurana assured us that there was no such move and that the administration was in fact keen to support and strengthen the position of ad-hoc teachers while at the same time trying to expedite the process of permanent appointments.

Today, we were shocked to see a letter(copy attached) from the Joint Registrar, dated 23 June 2016, to Colleges and departments, for the Preparation of Panel of eligible candidates for ad-hoc appointments in various subjects under the Colleges of the University of Delhi. As per the letter a new on-line proforma will be uploaded shortly, which candidates will have to fill for their names to be included in adhoc panels. Further, the letter states that a new set of guidelines will be issued for conducting interviews.

With over 4000 teachers working on an adhoc basis, any change in the process of creating a panel and hiring teachers on adhoc basis, is a major decision of the University and its teaching community. In this regard, we wish to point out the following:

1. Guidelines on the issue of making ad hoc appointment of Lecturers inColleges/Departments were duly approved by the Executive Council at its meeting held on 27.12.2007 vide Resolution No.120(8). Amongst other things, the guidelines laid down rules for drawing up a panel and the composition of Selection Committees for appointment of teachers on adhoc basis. Any changes in the guidelines can be brought only through resolutions of the  Academic Council and the Executive Council after due deliberation. 
2. Any change in the guidelines for appointment at this juncture may cause unwarranted delay in creating panels, holding interviews in colleges and appointment of teachers. Most departments have almost completed the process of drawing up ad-hoc panels after following a long and arduous process of scrutiny. Re-opening the process will double their  work and cause inordinate delay. This will adversely impact thousands of teachers. Colleges do their best to appoint teachers well in time, before the commencement of academic session, so that the semester teaching is not adversely affected and so that all those teachers who join on the first day of the academic session may get summer vacation salary as per the University rules. 
3. The guidelines, which were adopted for the annual system, may need revision and we are open for any new suggestion towards improvement of processes of drawing up panels, service conditions etc. However, these need to be discussed in the Statutory Bodies and can only be prospectively applied. We appeal to the University not to use emergency powers under Statute 11-G(4) for deciding policy matters.
4. The EC Resolution of 2007 vide Clause II.V stipulated the following:

   “Whenever the vacancy arises for the duration of more than four months, the same may be filled up on temporary basis as per due process and procedure i.e. through a duly constituted Selection Committee.”

   The clause was included to curb adhocism. Since 2010, the University stopped permanent appointments as well as appointments of teachers on temporary basis against long leaves. Given the uncertainty and trauma faced by teachers appointed on ad-hoc basis, the DUTA has appealed to Colleges to hold interviews each semester only for additional posts, so that the existing ad-hoc teachers do not face continuous displacement. Meanwhile the process of holding interviews for permanent appointments/ temporary appointments against leave vacancies must be expedited.

Young talented teachers have suffered for years because of growing adhocism and exploitative conditions in which they have been forced to work year after year. Any change in the Guidelines at this juncture would only increase their suffering.

In order to retain talent and to maintain academic excellence, it is important that the University takes concrete steps towards filling up of vacant posts on permanent basis with correct reservation roster for SC/ST/OBC and PWD. We request that the modalities for the correct implementation of 200 point roster are quickly worked out and brought to the Statutory Bodies for deliberations and adoption, so that the process of making permanent appointments is started at the earliest and early regularisation of long-serving ad-hocs ensured.

We appeal to you to withdraw the above-mentioned letter as it has caused widespread panic and confusion in the University.

We also appeal to you to write to all the Principals/Heads of Department to ensure the re-joining of ad-hoc teachers on the first working day, so that they are entitled to their summer salary as per University rules.

With regards,