Amritsar, March 28 : Guru Nanak Dev University Vice Chancellor, Prof A.S Brar here today reiterated that his doors are always open for discussing the genuine demands of the teachers at any time and he is always ready to discuss the pending demands, if any.
Elaborating to the meeting held on March 26, between the executive committee of GNDU Teachers Association (GNDUTA) and the Vice Chancellor in the presence of all the officers of the University concerned, in the University, he clarified that most of the demands of the teachers have already been accepted by the university.
There was a demand that Dr. Lakhwinder Singh should be designated as Secretary of GNDUTA. The Vice chancellor clarified that the university has taken legal opinion of its standing council regarding this issue and following the advice to the core as such it would be illegal if university goes against advice of its standing counsel. This demand as such could not be accepted as it is against the Calendar of the university where more than two teachers of one department can not be members of the executive committee. This decision was taken by the “Returning Officer” under the rules and regulations of the University.
The Vice chancellor said that the executive committee members on this issue walked out without conducting any issue based discussion regarding the demand of the teachers. However, Vice Chancellor asked them to discuss the other issues item-wise except the pre-mentioned one which the Executive Committee did not accept on that day.
On the issue of Lecturer (hired on Lecture basis) of the University is unnecessarily hiked by the Association, the Vice chancellor said that “as the University has nothing to do with this issue because this was more of her family matter of the concerned lecturer than a university issue”.
Regarding the other demands of the association, the clarifications are as follows:
As far as the arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission are concerned the Vice Chancellor has repeatedly written to the Punjab Govt. and also met the Chief Minister personally on this issue. The Vice Chancellor is making personal efforts to see that the arrears are paid as early as possible to the teachers.
Regarding the date of eligibility of the promotion of the teachers under CAS is as per the rules and regulations of the UGC, the Vice chancellor said adding that under the CAS more than 85% of the teachers who had appeared for the interview have been promoted. Moreover recently all the other teachers who appeared for the interview under the CAS scheme have been promoted on the basis of their merit; remaining cases would be considered in the coming year as per rule.
The counting of previous and adhoc service of teachers, he said “previous and adhoc service” has already being counted as per rules & regulations of the University”.
The enquiries have been constituted if prima facie it looks that some aberration of rules of the university has been found. The aim of this demand is primarily to scuttle the enquiries against the president of GNDUTA, which were instituted much before the joining of the incumbent Vice Chancellor.
The Vice Chancellor or the university authorities do not have any overriding powers over the Election Commission in respect to the election duties of employees
The Wi-Fi and internet connectivity is being further improved.
The university is seeking clarifications regarding the Mobile Phone Allowance. The matter is already with Audit.
The Tuition fee of the Pre-Ph.D. course for university teachers is already waived off.
As far as the Credit Based System is concerned, it is as per the recommendations of the UGC and the Class size is as per the norms of the university.
The demand of AICTE teachers regarding pay has been accepted and the arrears are being paid.
The modalities for promotion under CAS have already been given by the UGC which have been adopted by the Govt. of Punjab, at the time of adoption of the recommendations of the 6th pay commission. The University has not any overriding powers to change/modify the rules and regulations mandated by the UGC.
For keeping uniformity in the evaluation system and for the benefit of the students it is thought appropriate by the university that the minor and major tests are set by the University for its Regional centres also.
Better infrastructure facilities are being created for the regional centres.