DUTA Press Release, 18-7-2016

Resolution adopted by the DUTA General Body in its meeting held on 18 July 2016

The General Body congratulates the exemplary unity and courage shown by all teachers during the last two months which resulted in the unprecedented success of getting the proposed increase in workload withdrawn. The General Body notes that the withdrawal of the 3rd Amendment to the UGC Regulations 2010 notified on 10 May 2016 is extremely significant as they would have had an adverse impact on more than 4500 posts and increased workload for all teachers which would have led to the dilution of the quality of the teaching learning process. The DUTA GBM notes that the 4th Amendment notified on 11 July 2016 explicitly includes, for the first time, tutorials, practicals, fieldwork, etc. as part of the direct teaching hours, which can help revive public-funded institutions in India. While reiterating its resolve to continue its struggle against the anti-education PBAS/ API and its complete roll-back, the DUTA General Body also notes that the MHRD and the UGC has had to respond to the collective pressure of the teachers by removing student feedback as a condition for promotion. However, the General Body is also dismayed by the fact that the irrational conditions in terms of the points needed for teaching and research still remain. Hence, the DUTA General Body resolves that the fight against the irrational and illogical quantification of teachers’ work will continue till it is completely withdrawn. The DUTA General Body also notes that one of the major achievements of this agitation has been in bringing the issue of teachers’ promotion to the centre stage at the national level. Another major achievement that must be noted is the announcement of the VII Pay Review Committee in the midst of our agitation. The DUTA General Body is fully convinced that the need of the hour is to step up the struggle against the PBAS/API and for time-bound promotions at the all India level so that our longstanding demand for parity of teachers with  All-India Services is realised.

The DUTA General Body also expresses the hope that the new MHRD minister, Shri Prakash Javadekar, who has stood with us in solidarity in many of our struggles, will respond to our letter and give us an appointment at the earliest so that the issue of the PBAS/ API can be resolved in our favour.

The demand for permanent appointments with the correct GoI reservation roster for SC/ST/ OBC/ PWD and the resolution of the specific problem of retrospective implementation of API in Delhi University was also taken up with the University administration. After three weeks of intense negotiations amidst continuing evaluation boycott, the DUTA was able to get the administration to agree to expand the Committee set up by the University to look into matters related to appointments and promotions to include elected representatives of the teachers. While the DUTA was of the opinion that a separate committee must be formed on the issue of the modalities of implementation of the reservation roster on the basis of the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, the university administration agreed that the committee would deliberate upon all aspects of promotion and appointment and members could raise the issue of the reservation roster too. The DUTA General Body expresses its firm resolve to ensure the correction of the modalities of the reservation roster at the earliest so that permanent appointments can take place very soon.

The DUTA General Body records the fact that negotiations have begun and the administration has agreed to our minimal demands of setting up a committee to resolve our long standing demands. In this context, to continue a sustainable movement to ensure resolution of pending matters, the DUTA General Body resolves to withdraw the boycott of evaluations and boycott of Staff Council Committees. The DUTA demands the withdrawal of the MHRD letter dated 3 March 2016 that is a clear attack on University autonomy.

The DUTA General Body also calls upon teachers to continue to demonstrate the same energy, vigour and unity by participating in large numbers in the upcoming action programmes to press for quick resolution to the twin demands of permanent appointments according to the correct GoI reservation roster and the complete scrapping of the PBAS/ API:

1. FEDCUTA call for a Sit-in at the UGC on 27 July 2016, in which all Delhi based Universities will be invited.
2. Joint Dharna by AIFUCTO and FEDCUTA at Jantar Mantar, followed by a March to Parliament, on 5 August 2016.

The DUTA General Body authorises the DUTA Extended Executive to review and chalk out future action programmes for realisation of our demands after proper mobilisation through Staff Associations.        
     
The DUTA General Body appeals to Staff Associations to ensure rejoining of all ad-hoc teachers on 20th July. It appeals to them to ensure eligibility as per University ad-hoc panels and University approved roster. It resolves that DUTA teams will continue to visit all colleges in the next few days to ensure rejoining. It resolves to pursue cases for ex gratia payment to reduce hardship. Further, the General Body demands immediate withdrawal of Finance Officer’s letter to Colleges regarding Assistant and Associate Professor in Physical Education and upholding of AC/EC Resolutions and University Ordinances regarding their service conditions including age of superannuation.