DUTA Letter to Office Bearers, Staff Associations – 13.03.2018

To
Office Bearers, Staff Associations
___________
____________
13 March 2018

Dear colleagues,

The DUTA Executive, in its meeting held on 13.3.2018, unanimously condemned the UGC circular dated 5.3.2018 notifying that fresh reservation rosters for SC/ST Category have to be prepared keeping Department/Subject as a unit instead of the University/College. The DUTA views this development as a major setback in its struggle to ensure adequate representation in teaching positions for SC/ST/OBC categories as per the Constitutional requirement of 15%, 7.5% and 27% resp.

Till now, the UGC had specifically prohibited the practice of making department-wise cadres, as that would lead to the denial of reservation in small departments. Thus, the UGC notification of 5.3.2018 heralds a complete U-turn in the position of the GoI/MHRD/UGC regarding the Policy of Reservation, that will, by its own long-held and clearly articulated position, pave the way for the defeat of the Constitutional mandate.

Further, the UGC circular of 5.3.2018, will derail the entire process of permanent appointments and displace ad-hoc teachers who have been teaching for many years. This will be a monumental human tragedy, with severe academic implications for our University.

The DUTA Executive unanimously decided to hold ” Pratirodh Rally”, a Protest March from Mandi House to Parliament to demand withdrawal of this circular on 15 March 2018. The March will begin at 12 noon. And classes will be suspended after 11 am. Please mobilise. Please find enclosed the DUTA Note on the 5 March 2018 UGC letter.

Further, we wish to inform that Handbills (for Students and general public) and posters for the Black Week and 16 March programme are available in the DUTA Office. We appeal to Staff Associations to collect the material from the DUTA Office. Apart from the Staff Room notice boards, it is important to display the posters on students’ notice boards as well. Staff Associations are requested to involve Students’ Unions for greater mobilisation amongst students. We also request Staff Associations to inform us about any other requirement they may have to make 16 March programme a success.

We shall fight, we shall win.

Note on UGC Circular dated 5.3.2018 – LINK