Even as the indefinite strike by degree college teachers entered its eighth day, about 1,000 lecturers and professors have threatened to go on a hunger strike.
Their grievance: Despite holding M Phil and PhD degrees, they are appointed on a contract basis.
That’s because as per university rules, college teachers must have a National Eligibility Test (NET) or State Eligibility Test (SET) certificate as entry-level qualification.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) in 2006 passed a notification stating that those with M.Phil or PhD degree are eligible to teach undergraduate and post graduate courses resspectively.
But teachers holding NET/SET qualification challenged the order in the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court.
On November 27, 2008, the court passed a judgment stating those holding M Phil or PhD degrees could teach.
“Despite the order, lecturers with M Phil or PhD are not appointed as permanent staff and NET/SET is considered as criteria. Till date, we haven’t got permanent approvals,” said Vijay Chavhan, a chemistry professor at Ruia College who was sacked in January.