Contractual teachers, daily wage sanitation workers hold protest at Punjabi University

Contractual assistant professors of computer science, daily wage sanitation workers and assistant professors led by Punjabi University Contractual Teachers Association and Contract Teachers Front of Punjabi University, Patiala held a protest in Punjabi University, Patiala on Tuesday.

Contractual assistant professors of computer science, daily wage sanitation workers and assistant professors led by Punjabi University Contractual Teachers Association (PUCTA) and Contract Teachers Front of Punjabi University, Patiala (CTF-PUP) held a protest outside Guru Tegh Bahadur Hall in Punjabi University, Patiala on Tuesday.

The university terminated the services of twenty sanitation workers, who are among those protesting since November 22 for regularization of their services. (HT photo)

The university terminated the services of twenty sanitation workers, who are among those protesting since November 22 for regularization of their services. Three of the workers have claimed to sit on fast unto death after the action by university. “Their contract got expired on December 18. The action has been taken after getting reports about their unbecoming behavior and absence from work,” vice chancellor Professor Arvind said. The computer science assistant professors demanded to raise their salary from ₹21,600 to ₹44,000 per month, as is being given to other contractual staff. “The file pertaining to the issue is already under process. It will be done soon,” he said.

While another group protested for the implementation of 7th pay commission, the vice chancellor said, “I have appointed a committee to look into the matter.” The contractual assistant professors also alleged that one of the contractual staff is being paid full scale but their pay scale is different. The vice chancellor assured to investigate this matter.