Teachers protest over EWS seats, promotions, old pension scheme
Anshita Mehra
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 8
The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) staged a protest at Jantar Mantar on Thursday, raising concerns over multiple issues affecting the university’s faculty and administration.
Key demands of KUTA included the allocation of economically weaker section (EWS) seats, the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme, the retirement age for library and physical education teachers, a one-time exemption from publishing in UGC CARE-listed journals for promotions, and the timely disbursement of salaries and appointments in the Delhi Government-funded colleges.
Addressing the gathering, DUTA President Professor AK Bhagi expressed strong opposition to the Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) loans, “which some colleges have been pressured to take”. “No college should be forced to take HEFA loans. We are completely against HEFA, and any funding should be provided as a grant,” Bhagi asserted. He further emphasised the urgent need for the release of the EWS seats, stating, “The shortage of teachers weakens the quality of education. The quicker these seats are released, the better.”
Sunil Sharma, a senior activist and member of the executive council, highlighted the financial distress of colleges funded by the Delhi Government. “Colleges run by the Delhi Government are in a crisis, and the government is incapable of managing these. There is an urgent need for these UGC-funded colleges to be taken under the university’s control,” Sharma said, stressing that the only solution is for these colleges to be brought under the UGC administration.
DUTA vice-president Sudhanshu Kumar and DUTA secretary Anil Kumar echoed the call for immediate action, demanding the filling of backlog positions and the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. “The government must address the long-pending demand for the Old Pension Scheme. It’s a matter of social security for retired employees,” Kumar said.
In the memorandum submitted to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, DUTA highlighted the need for additional teaching and non-teaching positions in several colleges due to the 25 per cent increase in student intake under the EWS category.
As per data obtained by DUTA and seen by The Tribune, Hansraj College requires 92 additional teaching positions and 51 non-teaching positions, while Gargi College needs 90 additional teaching and 34 non-teaching staff. Dyal Singh College, Deshbandhu College, and University College of Medical Sciences are also facing similar shortages, with 81, 80, and 75 additional teaching positions needed, respectively.
The memorandum urged the Ministry of Education (MoE) to release additional grants and teaching positions in line with the EWS expansion. It also stressed the need for infrastructure upgrades, including libraries, laboratories and sports facilities.
DUTA also thanked the MoE and UGC for the recent amendment to the UGC Regulations 2018, which provides teachers with the option to choose between the 2018 or 2010 regulations until December 31, 2024, for their promotions. However, the association reiterated its demand for a one-time exemption from the UGC CARE-listed journal requirement for promotions, citing the list’s non-comprehensive nature.
The association expressed its dissatisfaction with the UGC’s recent withdrawal of a circular that allowed certain employees to switch from the National Pension System (NPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). “The withdrawal of the circular creates ambiguity and a lack of clarity, not only among the employees of the University of Delhi but also in its affiliated colleges. This is against the principles of natural justice as stipulated in Article 14 of the Constitution,” the memorandum read.
Colleges in crisis
Colleges run by the Delhi Government are in a crisis, and the government is incapable of managing these. There is an urgent need for these UGC-funded colleges to be taken under the university’s control. — Sunil Sharma, a senior activist
