PCCTU is compelled by the circumstances to adopt the path of agitations and hold a protest rally today in front of DPI Colleges (Punjab, Mohali) to protest against the non-payment of salaries for the last seven months. The first quarterly grant (March to May) was distributed in the month of November and the grants of two quarters are lying pending with the Govt. We have repeatedly requested the Govt that quarterly grant should be sanctioned in the beginning of the first month of every quarter and final adjustments should be made in the last quarter. We fail to understand the reasons of undue delay despite the required 95% grants of RS 200 crores were sanctioned in the beginning of the financial year 2013-14.Under such circumstances the Union is compelled to adopt the path of agitation.
The teachers working in the colleges affiliated to Panjab University have organized the first area rally today, to be followed by Punjabi University Area Rally on December 18 at Patiala. The Teachers of GNDU area will hold protest rally on December 18 at Bhandari Bridge Amritsar and on December 20 at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall Jalandhar.
Addressing the rally, Prof Kuldip Singh, General Secretary, criticized the Govt because of imposition of ban on recruitment of teachers in aided colleges since 2005 and exclusion of teachers working against unaided posts from the purview of Service Security Act of 1974. The security of services was provided to teachers in 1974 when there was no grant in aid was available for colleges but unfortunately the security was withdrawn in the year 2007. He also demanded the facility of child care leave for women teachers like Govt. college women teachers. He criticized the Education Department for not implementing the acceded demands by the Honble Education Minister on December 20, 2012 when a deputation of union met him.
Prof P S Gill, President, condemned the Punjab Govt for not extending the benefits of Pay revision of 1/1/2006 to the teachers working against unaided posts. He asserted that it is really unfortunate that Punjab Govt denied the 80% share of pay revision of Centre Government to pay its 20% meager share. He also demanded removal of disparities in granting Ph D increments with counter parts in Govt colleges, initiation of a dialogue on Pension scheme.
Prof Jatinder Sharma, Area Secretary of the Union demanded the fulfillment of the 15 years pending pay revision of DPEs and Librarians. He also demanded that the capping of API score should be scrapped.
Surinder Kaur and Iqbal Preet Kaur Convenors, Women Wing, sought the extension of services of the teachers beyond 60 years like of Govt employees, creation of Posts of Professors in aided Colleges in tune with Govt. Colleges.