14 Sep :Let me welcome you all this afternoon to this press conference on behalf of the Pay Review Committee that, as you are well aware, has been constituted by the University Grants Commission to review the pay scales and other issues of service and working conditions of university and college teachers in the country.I wish to share with you and through you with my lakhs of university and college teacher colleagues spread in various parts of the country—some really remote and far flung— the progress of the functioning of the Pay Review Committee, particularly the range of issues on which the Committee has been dilating with a view to giving the teachers a very ‘decent deal’.
As you are aware, the Pay Review Committee was appointed in the larger context of the VI Central Pay Commission appointed by the Government of India for recommending the revised scales of pay for central government employees.
Now that the recommendations of the VI Central Pay Commission have finally been accepted and notified by the Government of India, the concern of the university and college teachers about the recommendation of our Pay Review Committee and their implementation is quite understandable and the Pay Review Committee is quite conscious of this concern.
The Pay Review Committee, however, also knows that it is only on August 29th and 30th, 2008 that is only about two weeks ago that the final recommendations of the VI Central Pay Commission as accepted by the Government of India became available. A large number of recommendations of Pay Review Committee, particularly those in relation to the revision of scales of pay and pension and other terminal benefits being dependent on those recommendations could not have been discussed and firmed up meaningfully before this.
The terms of Reference of our Pay Review Committee, thanks to the farsight of the University Grants Commission, for which the entire Pay Review Committee compliments the UGC, cover practically every single aspect of teachers service and working conditions ranging from pay and allowances to recruitment policy, opportunities for career advancement, availability of infrastructure and related facilities for teaching and research in university and colleges, special needs of women teachers and there work in rural and remote areas. Various kinds of leave facilities admissible to teachers, their academic accountability and the age of retirement and terminal benefits like pension, provident fund and gratuity.
In addition, the Pay Review Committee has also been asked to, look into the anomalies arising out of the implementation of the last Pay Review Committee and suggest redressal for these.
To identify these issues which related to over 200 universities and over 6000 colleges affiliated to the University Grants Commission was in itself a gigantic task and for this, the Pay Review Committee decided to use a multi pronged methodology that involved interacting with various stakeholders like the Professors, Readers, lecturers—particularly those who have been appointed recently—in both universities and colleges, the Directors of Physical Education, Librarians, Vice Chancellors and various teachers’ Associations and Federations. Also consulted were Eminent Educationists, Public Persons, Ministers of Education in various states and Educations Secretaries and Directors of Public Instruction.
Also, special questionnaires were devised—one for universities and another for colleges—which were sent to over 200 universities and 6000 colleges for eliciting information regarding diverse issues and the those general conditions relating to higher education that has a direct bearing on teachers’ service and working conditions.
The Pay Review Committee has also received nearly five hundred representations and memoranda from individuals, institutions and teachers’ associations and federations which too have been scrutinized carefully to know about the concerns and aspirations of the teaching community in universities and colleges.
Having done this—which as you can appreciate was a formidable task in itself—the Pay Review Committee has held a series of meetings—some lasting over several days-to discuss and arrive at a consensus about various issues. In fact, we have just finished one such significant meeting that started yesterday morning and I am glad to share with you the fact that the members of the Pay Review Committee present here with me this afternoon have arrived at significant decision about these issues that can be divided into the following broad categories:
? Revised structure of Pay and allowances for various categories of teachers, D.P.Es and Librarians
? Pension and other related benefits for social security of teachers, including the age of retirement and reemployment of teachers.
? The quantum of Central government financial assistance to states for implementing these recommendations of the Pay Review Committee
? A uniform date and manner of implementation of the recommendations throughout the country ? Recruitment policy and eligibility conditions for various categories of teachers and Principals of colleges.
? Opportunities for promotion under Career Advancement Scheme of both university and college teachers.
? Infrastructure and other support facilities for improving the quality of teaching and research.
? Teaching work load and academic accountability of teachers.
? Residual anomalies from the last Pay Review Committee and their redressal.
Each of these broad categories and many more issues were further subdivided into more focussed issues, including some of which are entirely new and innovative and are being considered for the first time to attract and retain talent in the field of higher education. Again these range from a better financial package to providing better academic environment for teaching and research.
1. Pay and Allowances
These include, among others–
(a) The possibilities of granting some additional incentives at the entry level, some kind of academic allowance or allowance for working in remote and inaccessible areas, etc.
(b) Questions relating to pay fixation and stagnation
2. Pension and other related benefits…
These include, among others—
(a) the question of invoking a uniform policy about the age of retirement and reemployment of teachers, to rid India’s higher education sector of the existing unhealthy inter regional disparities in this regard.
(b) Exploring the possibility of extending benefits like medical and general group insurance to all university and college teachers.
3. The Quantum of financial assistance…
These include the most crucial questions, among others—
a. How much assistance should the central government extend to states for a smooth implementation of the recommendations of the Pay Review Committee.
b. The period for which such assistance needs to be extended to the states.
c. Incentives that could be given to states for successful implementation of the entire package of recommendations of the Pay Review Committee.
4. The Date and manner of implementation…
The issues under this broad category include, among others—
(a) 01-01-2006 to be the date from which the recommendations of the Pay Review Committee should be implemented throughout the country.
(b) The manner in which it should be implemented so that benefits can be derived uniformally by all teachers without inter regional or inter- institutional deviations.
5. Recruitment policy…
The issues include, among others,
a) How to extend better financial and otherincentives to attract and retain better talent in the field of teaching in higher education, particularly at the entry level.
b) How new categories of teaching position need to be created to make the profession of teaching more attractive.
c) How and means can be devised to give a better financial deal to those who are working as contract teachers and guest faculty.
6. Opportunities for Career Advancement of teachers in both universities and colleges…
This is one of the most crucial issues before the Pay Review Committee. It includes, among others,
a) The manner in which the CAS can be made more teacher friendly especially in terms of creating more opportunities. The need for a third promotion for college teachers is engaging our attention in particular.
b) To look into the present conditions of eligibility and selection processes and suggest ways and means of making it more expeditions.
7. Infrastructure and other facilities…
This category of issues includes, among others,
a) examining the existing infrastructure and support facilities for teaching and research, particularly in colleges and recommendations for their upgradation.
b) To explore ways and means for providing some seed money to teachers both in universities and colleges for promoting research.
8. Teaching workload…
a) The issue of workload and academic accountability of teachers includes whether the classroom teaching load of teachers needs to be revisited
b) What kind of criteria need to be evolved for effective, transparent assessment of teachers’ work.
9. Anomalies from the previous…
One of the most challenging tasks before the Pay Review Committee has been to look at the anomalies of the previous Pay Review Committee and suggest redressal for some of most glaring ones. The total number of issues –some of them most crucial for the future of higher education and economic development of India –runs into no fewer than 100 odd issues. I am glad to say that a consensus on all issues has been reached in a series of meetings, including those held yesterday and today.
I can only say with utmost sincerity that the recommendations would give my fellow teachers more than what any rational thinker would call ‘a very decent’ deal.
This committee has deliberated on issues connected with higher education in a socio-economic and cultural milieu qualitatively so much different from what it was a decade ago, particularly in view of the demands of new global challenges in the higher education sector especially at the level of college education. It needs to be asserted that at the present juncture we have to think the best for the teaching profession vis-à-vis corporate sector and civil services. The committee is fully conscious of the criticality of time for the report to reach its final destination. That is why we have been working very hard to ensure that what is due to the teaching committee as a result of pay scales and improved working conditions should not come to them even a day later.
Hi, Kindly tell me about Librarian retirement age under UGC plan (Latest).
Thanks
ASSOCIATION OF LECTURERS IN GOVERNMENT COLLEGES (MES.GROUP-B)
(Recognized by Government of Maharashtra vide G.R.-RGA-1003/C.N.4/2003/16-A Dt.3.3.03)
(Affiliated to M.S.Federation of Gazetted Officers)
President
S.S.Andhare
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Address: Vidyut Nagar, V.M.V.Road, Amravati-444604
E-mail-sureshandhare@rediffmail.com
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Date:19.11.2009
TO,
MHRD, UGC AND HIGHER EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS OF ALL STATE GOVT.
Subject-Amendment of Clause XXII of paragraph 7 regarding Incentives for Ph.D/M.Phil.
Reference-
1)Government of Maharashtra Higher & Technical Education Department, Resolution No.NGC 2009/(243/09)-UNI-1, Mantralaya Annex, Mumbai–400032. Date: 12th August 2009.
2)Government of India Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development, New Delhi. Letter No.1-32/2006-U.II/U.I (i) dated 31.12.2008.
Respected Sir/Madam,
G.R. and Letter at 1 and 2 above variously extended the benefit of advance increments for possessing Ph.D./M.Phil and other higher qualifications.
Clause XXII of paragraph 7 regarding ‘incentives for Ph.D/M.Phil and other qualifications’ in above reads as under.
“For posts at the entry level where no such advance increments were admissible for possessing Ph.D/ M.Phil. under the earlier scheme, the benefits of 5 advance increments for possessing Ph.D./ M.Phil. shall be available to only those appointments which have been made on or after the coming into force of this Scheme.”
The above clause is unjust, insufficient and ambiguous in the light of following. Persons on any post other than Assistant Professor who acquired Ph.D./M.Phil degree either before entry in service, or during service, are appointed either by nomination or promotion with due permission of UGC, on the post of Assistant Professor and the benefit of protection of pay is extended to them as per rules of State. But consequent upon protection in pay, no benefit of 5/2 advance increments for Ph.D/M.Phil. is accorded to them on the assumption that they are not freshers and therefore their pay is not fixed on lowest (initial) pay in the pay scale meant for the post due to limited coverage (shortfall) of clauses I and II of para-7 of G.R./Letter cited in reference.
Similarly they are not entitled for 3/1 advance increments as per clauses IV and VIII, as Ph.D/M.Phil.degrees are not acquired during their service career as Assistant Professor.
Though the clause XXII a little bit covers the interests of said class of persons, but it leaves so many things unexplained therefore it appears to be unjust, insufficient and ambiguous. In order to cover the said class of persons undoubtedly under the umbrella of clause XXII it is requested to amend the clause XXII to give it the following shape and sense.
“For persons holding any post in previous (past) service cadre where the provision of award of advance increment for possessing Ph.D/M.Phil.was not available either at entry level or in-service career, under any earlier scheme i.e. Pay Commission, the benefit of 5/2 advance increments for possessing Ph.D/M.Phil respectively, shall be available to only those appointments either by nomination or promotion which have been made on or after the coming into force of this scheme.”
If the clause XXII is amended to this effect as mentioned above, it would benefit all the concerned persons including the members of this Association who have been promoted from junior college lecturer to Assistant Professor after 01.01.2006.Further it would be crystal clear leaving no room for doubt in future.
Thanks.
Amravati
Date-19.11.2009
Yours faithfully
(S.S.Andhare)
regarding gratuity it should be clarified whethr payable at enhanced rates to those who retired before the notification date but after 1/1/06
Sir,
I need clarification on two important points. They are
Whether the two advance increments sanctioned at the time of becoming reader (for possessing PhD) will be taken in to account or only the basic minus advance increments will be considered, in fixing new scale?. Othewise a possibility will arise wherein a junior can draw more basic than a senior in the new scale due to the fact that junior acquired two advance increments at the time of becoming reader and senior got them at the time of joining to the lecturer post (at the begining).
Whether anybody who became professor under CAS say , in Jan. 2009 will be refixed to his new eligibility date i.e. to Jan. 2007 after new CAS rules coming into force? Other wise somebody who is eligible for professorship even in Jan 2010 as per old CAS rules will become Professor with effect from Jan.2008 as per new CAS rules. Then the senior will become junior and junior will become senior.
Please clarify above two points.
Sir,
I need clarification two points. They are
Whether the two advance increments sanctioned at the time of becoming reader (for possessing PhD) will be taken in to account or only the basic minus advance increments will be considered, in fixing new scale?.
Othewise a possibility will arise wherein a junior can draw more basic than a senior in the new scale due to the fact that junior acquired two advance increments at the time of becoming reader and senior got them at the time of joining to the lecturer post (at the begining).
Whether anybody who became professor under CAS say , in Jan. 2009 will be refixed to his new eligibility date i.e. to Jan. 2007 after new CAS rules coming into force? Other wise somebody who is eligible for professorship even in Jan 2010 as per old CAS rules will become Professor with effect from Jan.2008 as per new CAS rules. Then the senior will become junior and junior will become senior.
Please clarify above two points.
Sir I want to know that what is desion of UGC and Chaddha Committe for the Status of librarian. Whether it is given equal status like a teaching faculty?
The Chaddha committee is set to enforce anti- teacher measures . That is why it is taking so long to submit its report .
ok
Dear Sir,
It is clear that the entire gameplan of UGC and stooges of higher education like G K Chadha PRC Commission is to deny the third promotion to teachers.
At a time when the 6th Pay Commission has categorically stated that at least 3 assured promotions should be given to both the military and civilian govt employees the UGC through its G K Chadha PRC Commission is trying to deny this or put conditionalities such as peer review , student assessment , selective implementation in autonomous colleges which would make it unimplementable .This is the informed guess that One can make quite correctly.
UGC’s past record in this regard speaks volumes in this regard. IT has withdrawn such 3rd promotion scheme after initiating its implementation in Ramjas college of Delhi Universityin 2000.
When merely graduates in the civil service and in defence forces will enjoy 3rd assured promotion teachers who have to have PHD degrees just to get into the service apart from regularly updating their qualifications through seminar / symposia attendance , publications etc throughout their career ( Tell me one case where with lesser qualifications you can be a Lecturer at the entry level for a permanent vacancy, I’d take back my statement ) are being made mendicants by being denied of this.
The FEDCUTA is anguished to point out that the Professorship (promotion) which was introduced in 1998 in DU colleges was withdrawn unilaterally by the UGC in October 2000.
It is pertinent to mention that in the meeting between the HRD Minister and representatives of AIFUCTO, DUTA and FEDCUTA held on 16.8.1998, it was clarified “that a Reader with a minimum of eight years of service will be eligible for promotion as a Professor under the CAS. It was further clarified that professorship in colleges other than the autonomous colleges would also be introduced in accordance with the standards and norms to be determined by the UGC.†Accordingly, the UGC vide its 1998 Notification introduced Professorship (promotion) and laid down the method of promotion. A College teacher of Delhi University got promotion to Professorship. However, despite the aforementioned agreement, the CAS for Professorship in colleges was unilaterally withdrawn by the UGC on 6th October 2000.
In the light of the above agreement with MHRD, the FEDCUTA has urged the UGC Pay Review Committee to recommend not only the promotion to Professorship / Professor grade in colleges, but also creation of Reader and Professor post (open) in the Colleges. The FEDCUTA states that is is opposed to the idea of instituting these posts only in the Autonomous Colleges.
We have strong reasons to believe that the professorial lobby ( which has opposed the implementation of professors’ grade in Delhi University colleges and elsewher in the country in the past ) is in cahoots with higher education mandarins to deny the legitimate right of third promotion to college teachers.Chadha committee intends to follow this in letter and spirit.
If delay is not denial then what is ?
– Sangram Kumar
We can understand the gigantic task before the more capable committee chairman Prof. Chadha. But at the same time, we advise you Professor, to divide the entire recommendation report into A & B groups. In the first group pay revision & promotional avenues may be incorporated and may be submitted immediately, to escape ensuing Election code of conduct. The issues connected with higher Edn. in social, cultural & economic spheres, the role of college education in shaping Adolescents, the accountability & result oriented teaching methodology are to be implemented at degree level by college administration & authorities, may be designed in depth, leisurely and communicated as Group B, later. Thus the commission could submit its Group A, report early, to enable the administration to implement the pay revision from 01-01-2006. In this election Year, time is precious. ….
I do agree with the extremely genuine demand from the DUTA and FEDCUTA to first redress the sharp anomaly of the arbitrary UGC orders under the 5th Pay Commission to allow promotion to Central University Teachers from an unreasoned date of 27.07.1998, despite the implementation of the whole 5th pay package from 01.01.1996. This order spoiled the professional career of all those university teachers who were already eligible for promotion on or before 01.01.1996, as per UGC criteria, and faced tough screening and selection process but still got the promotion with effect from not earlier than 27.07.1998 without any rhyme and reason. This way the highest qualified community was befooled by the highest education grants commission of India under flimsy bureaucratic orders.
After the due justice to the sufferers, as above, their redressed salary arriving at on 01.01.2006 may please be considered for fixation under the new UGC pay scale to be announced under the Sixth Pay guidelines and recommendations from the Hon’ble Professor Chaddha Commission.
It is important to tender the request that the Teachers who served as a Professor for at least five years or above, may please be given at least three extra increments over and above the one recommended to be fixed as per Central Govt. Gazette Notification on Pay Fixation Formula, dated 30.08.2008 under the 6th Pay Commission within the frame work (pay scale) of a Professor awaited from the UGC; coupled with allowing a Selection/Super Selection Grade to the Professors with 10 years of continuous service in a Central University. This will be the minimum courtesy from the MHRD to honour this highest literate position under the Govt. of India who builds up and shapes the able human resources through this noble profession to carefully and graciously command different spheres of the whole nation.
Further, I do agree with Professor Chaddha that teachers’ periodical appraisal and emphasis on the maintenance of discipline, morality and sense of integrity should be the part and parcel of the new pay package.
What about promotion for the Professor?