DUTA Letter to VC: 12.04.2019

                                                                                                                                             
Professor Yogesh Tyagi
Vice Chancellor
University of Delhi
Delhi 110007

12 April 2019

Sub: Regarding UGC Letter on Guest Appointments

Dear Professor Tyagi,

We write to you to register our objections to the manner in which the UGC Letter (F.25-1/2018 (PS/ MISC)) dated 28.01.2019 regarding appointment of Guest Teachers has been sent to all Colleges, Faculties and Departments for its implementation vide letter No Estab (T)/ V/ Guest teacher/ 10 dated 10.04.2019) without placing it first for discussion in any of the Statutory Bodies of the University. This constitutes a serious undermining of Statutory Bodies and hence, the University’s autonomy to take decisions in accordance with its existing Rules/ Regulations/ Ordinances.

While we welcome the enhancement of the honorarium of Guest Faculty in keeping with the demand of the DUTA, there are serious objections to the changes made in the process of selection of such faculty. You would be aware that the rules of Delhi University do not allow for appointments other than permanent/ temporary or on ad-hoc basis and Guest Teachers are to be appointed in Delhi University and its colleges only in exceptional circumstances or for very short-term vacancies. Given that the UGC letter could be interpreted to suggest that all sanctioned posts are to be filled on Guest basis, it is at variance with the University Ordinances and Rules and hence should not have been circulated to Colleges and Departments without discussion in statutory bodies. You would understand that in a context when appointments have not taken place for many years and a large number of teachers are working under extremely vulnerable and precarious conditions of employment, this has given rise to fears of displacement or change of terms of employment for teachers.

Further, the selection process suggested by the UGC to be the same as that of permanent appointments is unacceptable as it does not take into account that Guest Appointments are made in exigent situations where ad-hoc appointments cannot be made. Once again, the UGC letter does not suit the context in which guest appointments are made in Delhi University and its colleges.

The DUTA opposes this manner of implementation of UGC Guidelines or Letters without any discussion in the relevant statutory bodies and urges you to ensure the immediate withdrawal of the letter.

Thanking you,
Yours sincerely