PRESS RELEASE
(AIFUCTO, New Delhi, 30/11/2017)
After a long protracted struggle by AIFUCTO the 7th UGC Pay revision scheme was released by the MHRD on 2nd November, 2017.
AIFUCTO President Prof. Kesab Bhattachaya and Prof. Arun Kumar in a press statement issued today ,said with utmost shock and dismay that this has belied the hopes and aspirations of lakhs of University and College teachers of the country, putting the sincerity and commitment of the central govt. to higher education into dock. The reason of non-sharing of the report to the stake holders like AIFUCTO is now crystal clear as the hidden agenda stands exposed. The long awaited recommendations of the 7th PRC are finally brought out. AIFUCTO already expressed its thankfulness to the MHRD when it announced on October 11, 2017 that it would implement the 7th PRC. It had also stated that unless the full report is published AIFUCTO would not be able to come out with any comments because AIFUCTO had not been apprised or communicated about the recommendations as has been the norm in the past. The government maintained stoic silence on the recommendations and moved in a clandestine manner till its announcement.
Both the leaders of AIFUCTO Said that it very unfortunate that there is no tuning between PIB issued on 11th Oct,2017 and the notification issued on 2nd November,2017 specially on funding .there is clear-cut contradictions between the two.
The Official Press Statement issued on 11 October 2017,by MHRD has conveyed the Cabinet decision to approve revised pay scales of teachers and equivalent academic staff in Universities/Colleges & centrally. Shockingly, the MHRD notification on Scheme of revision of pay of teachers issued on 2 November 2017 contradicts crucial clauses of the Cabinet decision. No functionary of MHRD has the authority to modify Cabinet decisions.
1) “The Central Government will bear the additional burden of the States on account of revision of pay scales” as conveyed in last para of Cabinet decision is modified in para 16 (iv) (a) of MHRD notification to:
“iv (a) Financial assistance from the Central Government to State Governments opting to revise pay scales of teachers …………shall be limited, by way of reimbursement, to the extent of 50% (fifty percent) of the additional expenditure involved in the implementation of the pay revision,……..”.
2) The clause in 2nd para of Cabinet decision indicated that apart from teachers in universities funded by the UGC/MHRD the decision will also benefit “teachers from 329 Universities which are funded by State Governments and 12,912 Govt. and private aided colleges affiliated to State Public Universities.”
Now, rather than a mandatory instruction, the MHRD notification has left it to the wish of the State governments to adopt and implement the Scheme.
AIFUCTO has been consistently demanding for the 100% central assistance to the states for uniform and simultaneous implementation of the revised UGC Scales of Pay for the college and university teachers of the country. Despite our demand and struggle on this issue, the central government very callously and carelessly has declared only 50% central assistance to the states, that to, only for 39 months, from 1.1.16 to 31.03.19. This is the real cooperative federalism of the present central government. The shifting of the financial burden to the states is a well-calculated design and conspiracy to deny the revised UGC Scales of pay to the majority of the University and college teachers who serve under state universities. Many states may not implement the 7th UGC Pay Scales due to reduced central assistance. Again this is to divide the college teachers of the country as both AIFUCTO and FEDCUTA have shown historic solidarity and unity of the teachers in our struggle. AIFUCTO strongly condemns this decision of the government and demands that this be immediately reversed and 100% assistance be given to the states for uniform implementation of the revised UGC Scales of Pay in the country in the interests of quality higher education.
AIFUCTO strongly critised the suggestion of denial of incentives for M.Phil and PHD both at the entry point and during service years. This reflects the extreme insensitivity of the central government towards the hard work and challenges faced by researchers in the country in getting these degrees, thereby reducing the dignity and devaluing the significance of these prestigious degrees.
It is to be noted that the office of Principal has been demeaned by creating difference in their ranks on the basis of their appointment in Undergraduate and postgraduate colleges. Principals of undergraduate colleges, as per the new notification, will now be treated at par with the Associate Professors. This surely is a divisive move designed to create rift and tension among the administrative heads vying for the same post in undergraduate and post graduate colleges. Also the special allowances for Principals have not been raised. It remains the same at Rs 2000 and 3000 respectively for Principals of UG and PG colleges respectively.
The notifications have not said anything on the allowances, which await clearance from the Ministry of Finance. The anomalies of the previous Pay Commissions have not been rectified and it is said that those are also subject to suggestions from Ministry of Finance. These are tantamount to denial of the demands only.
The other most significant omission is the complete absence of the pay scale and other issues related to adhoc, part time and contractual teachers. AIFUCTO is both surprised and shocked that no mention has been made of the most significant section of teachers who carry out the major burden of teaching in most ignoble and humiliating conditions. The unwillingness of the central government to address their issues is an indicator of irresponsible, insensitive and callous attitude of the government towards unhindered progress of higher education of the country.
The very important NEC of AIFUCTO will meet in New Delhi on November 11, 2017 to deliberate in detail on the notification and plan its future course of action. In our previous NEC meeting we already charted the course of our agitation. NEC of Nov 11, 2017 will further discuss and notify its affiliates about the same.
We once again appeal to the government to reconsider the decision and provide 100% central assistance to the states along with other necessary changes after consultation with AIFUCTO and other teachers’ organizations.
Prof Kesab Bhattacharya President,
Prof. Arun Kumar General Secretary
AIFUCTO
(AIFUCTO, New Delhi, 30/11/2017)
After a long protracted struggle by AIFUCTO the 7th UGC Pay revision scheme was released by the MHRD on 2nd November, 2017.
AIFUCTO President Prof. Kesab Bhattachaya and Prof. Arun Kumar in a press statement issued today ,said with utmost shock and dismay that this has belied the hopes and aspirations of lakhs of University and College teachers of the country, putting the sincerity and commitment of the central govt. to higher education into dock. The reason of non-sharing of the report to the stake holders like AIFUCTO is now crystal clear as the hidden agenda stands exposed. The long awaited recommendations of the 7th PRC are finally brought out. AIFUCTO already expressed its thankfulness to the MHRD when it announced on October 11, 2017 that it would implement the 7th PRC. It had also stated that unless the full report is published AIFUCTO would not be able to come out with any comments because AIFUCTO had not been apprised or communicated about the recommendations as has been the norm in the past. The government maintained stoic silence on the recommendations and moved in a clandestine manner till its announcement.
Both the leaders of AIFUCTO Said that it very unfortunate that there is no tuning between PIB issued on 11th Oct,2017 and the notification issued on 2nd November,2017 specially on funding .there is clear-cut contradictions between the two.
The Official Press Statement issued on 11 October 2017,by MHRD has conveyed the Cabinet decision to approve revised pay scales of teachers and equivalent academic staff in Universities/Colleges & centrally. Shockingly, the MHRD notification on Scheme of revision of pay of teachers issued on 2 November 2017 contradicts crucial clauses of the Cabinet decision. No functionary of MHRD has the authority to modify Cabinet decisions.
1) “The Central Government will bear the additional burden of the States on account of revision of pay scales” as conveyed in last para of Cabinet decision is modified in para 16 (iv) (a) of MHRD notification to:
“iv (a) Financial assistance from the Central Government to State Governments opting to revise pay scales of teachers …………shall be limited, by way of reimbursement, to the extent of 50% (fifty percent) of the additional expenditure involved in the implementation of the pay revision,……..”.
2) The clause in 2nd para of Cabinet decision indicated that apart from teachers in universities funded by the UGC/MHRD the decision will also benefit “teachers from 329 Universities which are funded by State Governments and 12,912 Govt. and private aided colleges affiliated to State Public Universities.”
Now, rather than a mandatory instruction, the MHRD notification has left it to the wish of the State governments to adopt and implement the Scheme.
AIFUCTO has been consistently demanding for the 100% central assistance to the states for uniform and simultaneous implementation of the revised UGC Scales of Pay for the college and university teachers of the country. Despite our demand and struggle on this issue, the central government very callously and carelessly has declared only 50% central assistance to the states, that to, only for 39 months, from 1.1.16 to 31.03.19. This is the real cooperative federalism of the present central government. The shifting of the financial burden to the states is a well-calculated design and conspiracy to deny the revised UGC Scales of pay to the majority of the University and college teachers who serve under state universities. Many states may not implement the 7th UGC Pay Scales due to reduced central assistance. Again this is to divide the college teachers of the country as both AIFUCTO and FEDCUTA have shown historic solidarity and unity of the teachers in our struggle. AIFUCTO strongly condemns this decision of the government and demands that this be immediately reversed and 100% assistance be given to the states for uniform implementation of the revised UGC Scales of Pay in the country in the interests of quality higher education.
AIFUCTO strongly critised the suggestion of denial of incentives for M.Phil and PHD both at the entry point and during service years. This reflects the extreme insensitivity of the central government towards the hard work and challenges faced by researchers in the country in getting these degrees, thereby reducing the dignity and devaluing the significance of these prestigious degrees.
It is to be noted that the office of Principal has been demeaned by creating difference in their ranks on the basis of their appointment in Undergraduate and postgraduate colleges. Principals of undergraduate colleges, as per the new notification, will now be treated at par with the Associate Professors. This surely is a divisive move designed to create rift and tension among the administrative heads vying for the same post in undergraduate and post graduate colleges. Also the special allowances for Principals have not been raised. It remains the same at Rs 2000 and 3000 respectively for Principals of UG and PG colleges respectively.
The notifications have not said anything on the allowances, which await clearance from the Ministry of Finance. The anomalies of the previous Pay Commissions have not been rectified and it is said that those are also subject to suggestions from Ministry of Finance. These are tantamount to denial of the demands only.
The other most significant omission is the complete absence of the pay scale and other issues related to adhoc, part time and contractual teachers. AIFUCTO is both surprised and shocked that no mention has been made of the most significant section of teachers who carry out the major burden of teaching in most ignoble and humiliating conditions. The unwillingness of the central government to address their issues is an indicator of irresponsible, insensitive and callous attitude of the government towards unhindered progress of higher education of the country.
The very important NEC of AIFUCTO will meet in New Delhi on November 11, 2017 to deliberate in detail on the notification and plan its future course of action. In our previous NEC meeting we already charted the course of our agitation. NEC of Nov 11, 2017 will further discuss and notify its affiliates about the same.
We once again appeal to the government to reconsider the decision and provide 100% central assistance to the states along with other necessary changes after consultation with AIFUCTO and other teachers’ organizations.
Prof Kesab Bhattacharya President,
Prof. Arun Kumar General Secretary
AIFUCTO
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