DUTA Letter to VC: 11.06.2019

Seeking immediate action on issues confronting teachers and Delhi University



                                        

                                                                                                                                           

To

Professor Yogesh Tyagi

Vice Chancellor

University of Delhi

Delhi 110007

11.06.2019

Sub: Seeking immediate action on issues confronting teachers and Delhi University

Dear Professor Tyagi,

The DUTA Executive met on 8 June 2019 to discuss various issues which confront the university community today. The Executive finds it extremely unfortunate that a large number of issues have been kept pending and meetings of Statutory Bodies have not been convened to deliberate and clear issues. The University is in a state of paralysis because of your inaction. Teachers are feeling demoralized as they are forced to work without promotions and in conditions which are adversely impacting their working conditions and quality of education. Meetings of the Executive Council have not been convened despite repeated appeals by the DUTA to resolve issues regarding promotions, counting of past services, recovery, governing body guidelines for Guest Faculty and EWS.

We once again draw your attention to issues for immediate action:

1.      EWS Expansion    

    
As you know, the student intake will increase by 10% this academic year and by 25% next year on account of 10% reservation for EWS. Delhi University and its colleges are ill prepared to deal with this expansion as (i) the OBC second tranche posts have not been released yet (ii) additional hands as required by CBCS were never sanctioned to colleges and (iii) while the Government had sought requirements towards EWS expansion in January 2019, no grants for additional infrastructure and teaching and non-teaching posts has been sanctioned to colleges. Any delay in the sanction of additional teaching posts may deepen the existing crisis, worsening the already skewed student-teacher ratio, overcrowded class rooms and labs and over burdening of teaching faculty. As the academic head of the University, it is your duty to pursue the matter with the UGC/MHRD to ensure that teaching and non-teaching posts against OBC Expansion and EWS expansion are immediately released and grants for additional infrastructure are released at the earliest.       

2.      EWS Reservation in teaching posts 

As you are aware, the Government of India DoPT Office Memorandum No.36039/1/2019-Esst (Res) dated 31.01.2019 directs mandatory reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWSs) in direct recruitment in civil posts and services in the Government of India.

It is unfortunate that implementation of EWS reservation was notified by the University through an Office Memorandum dated 28.03.2019 (issued by Deputy Registrar, Recruitment) without discussing or amending the existing guidelines for implementation of reservation on teaching posts (EC resolution no. 64, 28.09.2013). This is a grave statutory violation as the matter ought to have been discussed and decided by the Executive Council. We want to caution you that any improper and ill-prepared implementation of the EWSs Reservation will create utter mayhem in the entire university.

Further, at present there are many teachers who have been working on ad-hoc basis for several years in the University and its colleges because permanent appointments have not taken place for one reason or the other. The implementation of EWSs Reservation will lead to large-scale displacement of teachers currently working against Unreserved (UR) posts on ad-hoc basis. You are requested to proactively pursue the UGC/MHRD for the immediate release of additional posts for implementation of EWSs Reservation which may help mitigating hardship of these teachers.

We demand that you immediately convene a meeting of the Executive Council and discuss this matter before approving the recasting of the existing teaching roster.

3.      Formation of Governing Bodies and crisis in the partially or fully funded Colleges of Delhi Government because of the ongoing impasse   

    
We find it extremely unfortunate that you have taken no steps to ensure the formation of Governing Bodies in many colleges. The situation is particularly grave in the Delhi Government colleges as the Government has now stopped funds/ grants. The resulting financial crisis is pushing employees to the brink where not only salaries are delayed but also reimbursement of medical and other bills, causing immense hardship to the families of the employees as well. It is really unfortunate that employees of these colleges are being held to ransom because of the impasse between the University and the Government. We wish to remind you of your responsibility to ensure the proper governance of all colleges. Failure to constitute Governing Bodies on time not only hampers the academic and administrative functioning of the colleges but also constitutes a statutory violation.

We urge you to take immediate steps to stop further harassment of employees and follow statutory provisions to form Governing Bodies in 28 colleges partially or fully-funded by Delhi Government without further delay.

4.      Adoption of the UGC Regulations 2018 

     
Consistent failure on your part to hold AC/EC meetings regularly has led to total limbo in the routine functioning of the University and college administrations. It is extremely shocking to note that the UGC Regulations 2018 have still not been adopted by the University. The University has failed to adhere to deadlines laid down for its adoption. Teachers have been stagnating in colleges and University and adoption of the UGC Regulations 2018 is extremely important to resolve this. Counting of past service is yet important issue to be resolved for promotions to start in colleges/Departments. The Committee report is pending before the EC for its consideration. Teachers are anguished to see that the University has shown no interest in their wellbeing.

Regarding the UGC Regulations 2018, the DUTA reiterates the demand that the clause on “contractual appointment” be dropped as it is not relevant to Delhi University where ad-hoc appointments have been the norm. The UGC Regulations recognizes these appointments by accepting them as “past service”.

Further, we remind you that Physical Education should be added in the list of Disciplines in the Draft Ordinances. This constitutes an unwarranted attack on the service conditions of teachers of Physical education and is unacceptable.

Further, under the 7 CPC, the UGC has issued Guidelines for Guest Faculty on 28.01.2019. The University needs to evolve its own guidelines regarding Guest appointment and service conditions, keeping in mind the context in which guest faculty are appointed in the University and its colleges. The Executive Council should draw these guidelines before the commencement of the new academic session to avoid chaos and loss of teaching time.

5.      Retirement age of teachers of Physical Education 
In the matter of Physical Education teachers, the indifference shown by the University in the face of arbitrary actions of the Principals of Vivekananda College and Shyam Lal College (E) is completely shocking. The University ought to have intervened to ensure the correct implementation of its own rules instead of being hostile to the plight of the affected Physical Education teachers. The University should immediately enable the withdrawal of court case by Ms. Meera Sood and stand by her right to retire only at the age of 65, as is the case for all other teachers.

We hope you understand that your inaction has led the university to a state of paralysis, causing a deep sense of demoralization and unrest among large sections of teachers. Immediate action is required from you on all the above issues. We hope that you will respond to our demands and take steps to resolve these issues by 20.06.2019, failing which, the DUTA, as a responsible representative of the DU teaching community, will be forced to launch strong action programs including boycott of admissions process.

Regards,

Rajib Ray President, DUTA Vivek Chaudhary Secretary, DUTA

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