DU teachers have been protesting at the VC's office against a circular regarding appointment of teachers.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) officials today discussed the issues pertaining to adhoc teachers and other matters of Delhi University on a meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Delhi University, in the presence of Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Secretary UGC and senior officers of the UGC. Later, according to a note released by the Ministry, discussions have been held with the representatives of the teacher associations of the varsity.
The note said the ministry officials had agreed to make amends in the UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges, and with that, “It is expected that… all the adhoc/temporary/contract teachers with requisite eligibility, and have taught/have been teaching in the current academic session in the university/Institution/college would be short-listed for the interview for permanent positions”.
The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) started an indefinite strike on Wednesday to demand resolution of various issues relating to ad-hoc teachers' appointments and expressing disapproval over appointment of guest teachers.
The teachers have been promised that a controversial August 28, 2019 letter will be amended and according to the MHRD, “it is expected that all adhoc teachers worked or working in the current academic year shall be continued till the beginning of the next academic session or till recruitment of permanent faculty, whichever is earlier”.
“UGC will consider communicating the additional teaching positions to be created as per the EWS scheme within 30 days. Keeping this in view, no person working in an adhoc position shall be removed merely on the ground of falling in the EWS roster point,” the ministry said.
“In accordance with Clause 6.3(VIII) of the UGC Regulations on Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and measures for the maintenance of standards in higher education 2018, the University will decide all pending promotion cases at the earliest after obtaining options from the eligible teachers,” the note added.
Earlier in the day, a day after DU teachers entered a building housing the VC's office protesting against a circular mandating appointment of guest teachers instead of making ad hoc faculty permanent, the varsity administration on Thursday directed teachers to end the "unlawful siege" immediately, reported news agency PTI.
In a letter written to DUTA president Rajib Ray, Proctor of the varsity Neeta Sehgal, said he along with other colleagues has "forcibly trespassed into the Viceregal Lodge by breaking the main gate and various doors of the heritage building".
"This has caused considerable damage and defacement of the heritage building. You are still continuing to illegally occupy the premises," she said.
This building houses the offices of the university authorities, she said.
"Your continuing illegal occupation has made the functioning of the university impossible. You are hereby directed to vacate the unlawful siege of the building immediately and leave the place peacefully," she said in the letter.
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