Job security: Contractual teachers give memo to Education Minister

Members of the Haryana Universities Contractual Teachers’ Association (HUCTA) met Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda at his residence here today and submitted a memorandum for securing jobs of around 1,500 assistant professors and extension lecturers’ jobs up to 60 years on the lines of Contractual Employees Service Security Ordinance -2024.

The delegation of the members of HUCTA led by their state president Vijay Malik demanded security of jobs till they did not get permanent status. Malik said that the government had assured security of jobs for the contractual employees having salary up to Rs 50,000 but these assistant professors were getting little more than Rs 50,000, due to which they do not come under the purview of the law to secure the services of contractual employees.

The Education Minister assured the delegation that the government had just been formed and it would find the best solution by talking to the officials. He also assured them that the government would fulfil the promises made in the manifesto before the elections at any cost.

Malik further stated that the BJP government before the Assembly elections had provided service security up to 58 years till retirement by introducing the Contract Employees Service Security Ordinance -2024, but the contractual assistant professors of the universities and extension lecturers of colleges were getting a minimum basic pay of Rs 57,700, and so missed out on coming under the ambit of this facility as their salary was more than Rs 50,000.

The state president said that the appointment of the contractual assistant professors was done following the prescribed procedures. They fulfil all qualifications for their post, but due to their salaries being more than Rs 50,000, they had been deprived of service security.

Malik demanded that on the lines of the Contractual Employees Service Security Ordinance -2024, the appointments should be made to the remaining vacant posts only after completing 60 years of retirement, so that no one is forced to take any desperate step due to loss of employment and besides, other facilities, including DA, medical allowance etc., should also be provided.