DUTA Letter to VC reg. Teachers’ Welfare Fund: 15.5.2021

Prof. P C Joshi         

Vice-Chancellor (Acting)

University of Delhi

Delhi – 110007

15.5.2021

Dear Professor Joshi,

As you know, the Teachers’ Welfare Fund (TWF) was established through the AC Resolution (No. 262) dated 22.2.1975. Subsequently, from time-to-time decisions were taken through EC Resolutions. The membership is open only to permanent faculty. As per the constitution of the TWF, all permanent faculty were to be covered unless stated by the teacher otherwise. Further, as per the EC Resolution 141(3) dated 22.2.1990, it was decided 5% of the examination remuneration would be deducted towards the TWF.

We appreciate that under your leadership the TWF has been reactivated and as requested by the DUTA, financial assistance will be provided to families/legal heir in the case of death of an ad-hoc teacher due to COVID. This is, however, not enough.

We request for immediate concrete steps towards the following.

1. As per an earlier TWF document under Dr Ruddar Dutt, Principal, SOL:

The University and Colleges have faltered on this and as a result a large number of permanent teachers are not members. The membership through deduction of monthly subscription, which should have been done automatically for all permanent teachers by the institutions, was not done. Immediate corrective measures should be taken towards this.

2. It is important to review the Constitution/ earlier EC resolutions regarding TWF and its membership should be extended to all temporary and ad-hoc teachers. In this regard, it is important to point out that starting from 2009 (centralised evaluation system), all teachers have contributed towards this fund through 5% deduction of the examination remuneration. The service conditions of ad-hoc teachers do not provide them any medical benefits or Death Gratuity. With over 4500 teachers working on ad-hoc basis, it is important that TWF be used to provide them this necessary cover. The modalities of this community-maintained fund may be worked out so that it can be maintained while providing the cover/support to the entire teaching fraternity. The aim of setting this fund was to ease out the hardship of teachers through a collective effort. Today, that aim can only be fulfilled by taking into the fold the most vulnerable section.

Urgent action on the matter is crucial given the health crisis. We request immediate meetings of the Managing Committee of TWF to discuss the matter followed by the Executive Council so that provisions of TWF may be extended to the entire teaching fraternity at the earliest.

With regards,