The Haryana Federation of University and College Teachers Organisations (HFUCTO) on Monday announced it would stage a dharna at Kurukshetra University on September 1 to oppose the state government’s decision to abolish vacant posts in higher education and demand its reconsideration.
The body recently organised a meeting of its office-bearers and representatives to discuss the government’s decision.
The meeting expressed concern over the Haryana Finance Department’s communication dated August 17, according to which newly created posts in state universities that remain unfilled or vacant for four years from the date of approval by the finance department may be considered “deemed abolished.”
The order further provides that posts remaining vacant for more than four years may be considered for filling by the administrative department on a case-to-case basis.
The HFUCTO meeting observed that abolishing sanctioned posts would adversely affect the academic and administrative functioning of universities, particularly when several universities and colleges already face a shortage of regular teaching faculty.
HFUCTO president Jitender Khatkar said that the decision to abolish vacant sanctioned posts is not an appropriate solution to the problem of vacancies.
“A sanctioned teaching post does not become unnecessary merely because it has remained vacant for a particular period. Vacancies may occur because of administrative procedures, statutory requirements, permissions and delays in the recruitment process. Instead of abolishing such posts, the government should identify the reasons for the vacancies and ensure their recruitment through a transparent and time-bound process,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}“A sanctioned teaching post does not become unnecessary merely because it has remained vacant for a particular period. Vacancies may occur because of administrative procedures, statutory requirements, permissions and delays in the recruitment process. Instead of abolishing such posts, the government should identify the reasons for the vacancies and ensure their recruitment through a transparent and time-bound process,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Body’s general secretary Dayanand Malik said that the government should focus on filling vacant posts rather than abolishing them, and should provide adequate financial and administrative support to universities and colleges.
Malik said that the KU dharna will be attended by teachers from various universities and colleges, non-teaching unions and student unions.
“The federation has also decided to submit a memorandum addressed to the chief minister of Haryana, through the vice-chancellors, requesting the state government to reconsider its decision and take immediate steps to strengthen the higher education system. We also demand that the retirement age for teachers must be 65 years according to UGC norms and there should be advance increments for PhD and MPhil,” he added.