Guest faculty members at Himachal Pradesh University serving without pay: CITU

Numerous guest faculty members at Himachal Pradesh University (HPU) are serving during the lockdown without being paid for the last four months, an official said on Monday. In a press statement issued here today, State unit of Centre of Indian Trade Union Secretary Vajinder Mehra said that about hundred faculty members associated with regional learning centre Dharmshala, Evening College Shimla run by Himachal Pradesh University are working without payment of salary from February to May 2020.

Seeking immediate release of withheld dues of the faculty members Mehra said that it is sheer exploitation of these teachings staff members by the state and HPU.

These guest faculty members are serving in all regional learning centre affiliated with the HPU which includes Regional Center Dharmshala and Evening College Shimla. "As many as 56 lecturer are appointed in RC Dharmshala out of which 24 are serving as guest faculty members. Post of two faculty members are vacant after their supernation and only ten lecturers are posted on a regular basis." He pointed stating that RC Dharmshala is mainly run by the guest faculty and staff members for many years. Similarly teaching staff of Evenings college Shimla was also serving as guest faculty members are remitted fixed amount on the basis of their lecture.

Mr Mehra alleged that University Grants commission recommends paying at least Rs 1,000 per lecture to them however HPU hiring their services on the basis of payment of just Rs 500 per lecture against the UGC norm. Recently HPU executive council have decided to increase the honorarium of guest faculty members up to Rs 1000 per lecture however the decision did not implement. Mehta said that As per UGC guidelines guest faculty members should not be paid less than Rs 50,000 per month however they are not being paid more than Rs 25,000 per month.

CITU leader said that these lecturers are serving by taking online classes during the lockdown however they are not getting justice for not being paid for the period. Despite the notification issued by the Union Government in month of March directing all PSUs and Government undertaking to not withheld the salaries of employees he said that during the lockdown these lecturers are serving without pay for last few months violating the notification.

Seeking immediate release of their salaries CITU leader said that action of the state and HPU is against the provisions of National Disaster Management Act and Epidemic Act