DUTA Memorandum submitted to MHRD: 27.11.2018

To

Shri Prakash Javadekar
Hon’ble Minister
MHRD,                                             
ShastriBhawan
New Delhi-110001                                                     

27November 2018

Sub: Urgent Issues concerning Teachers and Higher Education

Dear Shri Javadekar,

The teachers of Delhi University have gathered today to protest against the inaction on a host of issues that should have been repeatedly taken up.It is extremely unfortunate that despite promises to address these issues, there is no movement whatsoever towards resolution of any of these. We once again bring to your notice the following with the hope that this time you will not fail the teachers of the country.

1. The demand for the notification for implementation of revised allowances and pensions, consequent to the VII Pay Revision, and disbursal of the required funds for its implementation has not been met despite repeated reminders. It is extremely disappointing that our letters and representations have been met with complete silence.

2. Despite numerous representations to the MHRD and the UGC on issuesrelating to the VII Pay Revision(the negative clauses of the UGC Regulations 2018 that will affect the career progression of teachers, anomalies of the VI Pay revision including stepping-up, among others), once again, it has met with no response.

3. The appointment process and the regularisation of thousands of ad-hoc teachers who have served for long years in Delhi University is dependent on the withdrawal of the 5 March UGC Letter asking for implementation of department/subject wise reservation roster and the subsequent freeze on appointments. Permanent appointments cannot begin unless the Government takes immediate steps to issue an Ordinance to restore the 200 point Reservation Roster taking the University/ college as an unit so that the constitutionally mandated percentages can be met. Despite several assurances and statements reported by the media, the Government has unfortunately not acted on this urgent issue. We request you to urgently take up the issue in the upcoming session of Parliament. We wish to remind you that many of the advertisements issued for filling up of permanent positions in Delhi University have either lapsed or are on the point of lapsing.

4. The teachers of Delhi University and the entire country stand united against the extremely negative policies brought in that will fundamentally change the character, content and reach of public-funded education in the country. These include steps to force universities into the Tripartite MoU, replacing grants by loans through HEFA, Graded Autonomy and Categorisation of Universities. All of thesepolicy shifts should be subjected to wider scrutiny and debate in the academia and Parliament and not be pushed through in this manner.

5. The restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (GPF scheme) and scrapping of the New Pension Scheme (NPS) that was introduced with effect from 1.1.2004 for all those who joined service on or after that date has been a long-standing demand not only of teachers across the country but all employees and must be immediately met.

6. The imposition of CCS Rules for universities is a matter of grave concern as it will seriously undermine free thinking and adversely impact academic and professional lives of both students and teachers. The surreptitious attempts to bring teaching and evaluation under ESMA and to amend the DU Act are desperate methods to crush the voices of resistance among teachers.

The teachers of Delhi University hope that you will act urgently on these matters and take steps to implement our long standing demands.

Thanking you

Yours sincerely

Memorandum submitted to MHRD – Link