PUNJAB & CHANDIGARH COLLEGE TEACHERS UNION (PCCTU) (Ph. 09855425660; E.Mail: v_sofat@yahoo.com; generalsecretarypcctu@gmail.com) Dr. VINAY SOPHAT Associate Professor, GENERAL SECRETARY Head, 136/1, B-12, Shah Pur Road, P.G. Deptt. of History, Ludhiana-141008. R. K. Arya College, Nawanshahr Dated 27-11-2017 LIMITED CIRCULAR-7 My dear Friends, I wish bright struggle in future. After the formation of new government in Punjab we started lobbying with them. Paradox for us is that we are agitating against NDA Government in the centre and Congress govt. is sympathizing with our demands there. In Punjab we are struggling against Congress govt. for not addressing our grievances. Since August, 2017 we tried to have meetings with the state officials and in this very effort we were successful, but the issues are still not being addressed in the way we wish. In the meetings we discussed each and every issue like Regularization of Grants, Inclusion of teachers working against un-aided posts under the umbrella of Punjab Affiliated Colleges Security of Service Act 1974 and to bring all the uncovered staff under Grant-in-aid scheme, Relaxation in Refresher Courses as per UGC Guidelines, Regular appointments instead of contractual, Implementation of Pension and Gratuity Scheme, HRA to Staff of Rural Colleges, Unlawful extensions to Principals: Scrapping of Capping in API Score, Arrears of Career Advancement Scheme for DPE s and Librarians, Implement various clauses of UGC notification such as creation of posts of Professor in colleges, step up increments in CAS, Streamlining the working of DPI colleges by bringing under the Right to Service Act, Grant child care leave to women employees of aided affiliated colleges on the pattern of benefit given to the women teachers working in Govt. colleges etc. as follows: During all these months a lot of activity was there both agitation and meetings. Details are STRUGGLE AT AIFUCTO LEVEL:- After the massive rally on 24 July, 2017 at New Delhi teachers were hopeful of good news as reports were in newspapers and social media were that Govt. will issue notification before 31 st July. However nothing of this sort happened. So AIFUCTO gave a call for BLACK DAY strike on September 5, 2017 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi. Before that on Aug. 12, JUSTICE DAY was to be observed all over the country, by wearing BLACK BADGES and on Aug.22, 2017 State Level protests were to be held at State Capitals. As all the stake holders of Higher Education in Punjab were already active so under the banner of PFUCTO this agitation was to be held. However due to state holiday on Aug. 22 (Parkash Utsav of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji), protest was postponed to Aug.25, But again due to unavoidable circumstances 1
created due to verdict of Pb. & Haryana High Court regarding Sirsa Dera Case, protest was again postponed to Aug.29. On Aug.29 state protest was held at P.U. Chd. On September 5, a massive rally cum court arrest was held at New Delhi. Major issues were notification of 7 th pay commission report, scrapping of API, regular appointments more funds for HE etc. However govt. remained non-committed on the date of implementation as well as sharing of the report. Hundreds of teachers from PCCTU court arrested on that day. On 11 th October Central Cabinet announced the implementation of 7 th Pay Commission for the College and University teachers. Decision of the Cabinet was notified on 2 nd November. Though it is a welcome step but central govt. played foul in it too. Some major steps were retrograding. So AIFUCTO in its NEC meeting held on 11 th Nov. launched fresh phase of agitation. On Nov. 30 Campus Dharnas will be held and on Dec. 12 state level protests will be held. Date of protest at New Delhi will be announced later on. PCCTU ACTIONS TILL SEPTEMBER 2017:- PCCTU gave a call of Two Period Dharna at Campus cum unit meetings on Aug.12, 2017.It was followed by other programs as follows:- 1. DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETINGS on Aug.17, 2017. Almost all the districts held meetings successfully and gave important inputs. 2. Mass Casual Leave cum State Rally on Aug.22 (which was not held due to reasons mentioned above) 3. As the grants were pending for three months in Aug., 2017, so GS talked number of times to DPI( C) and education secretary and got three months salary released. 4. TWO PERIOD DHARNAS were observed on Sept.13. 5. DISTRICT RALLIES were held from Sept. 20 26 as announced by PCCTU. PCCTU congratulates all the teachers for enthusiastically participating in the rallies. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 17, 2017: PCCTU EC met on Sept.17, 2017 at A.S. College Khanna. We are grateful to Principal A.S. Jhanjhi for the warm welcome and facilities provided. We are thankful to the local Unit esp Prof. Kamal, Prof. Talwani, Prof. Sudha ( District Secretary ) for the hospitality extended to EC members. Meeting was presided over by Dr. Mukhwinder Singh worthy President. In this meeting following decisions were taken unanimously:- 1. Protest at the residence of Education minister on Oct.4, 2017. 2. Cease work after second period on 26 th Sept, 2017. 3. To file legal suits in case of 2
a) Unlawful Extension / Re-employment to Principals after their retirement at the age of 60 years. (b) Denial of financial benefits to teachers by the respective managements, particularly in case of unaided teachers. (c) Extension of refresher courses upto Dec 2013. 4. PCCTU strongly objected to comments made by Ex-office member from Punjabi University area on social media, with malafide intentions. However Ex-officio member regretted his action citing reason as new one in EC. 5. EC rejected the reply made by Ex-officio member to whom show cause notice was issued for violating the directives of PCCTU again and again and for anti-teacher activities. EC decided to give him last chance for submitting another reply. 6. EC decided to extend full support to Chandigarh Distt. Council in their fight against DHE Chd. 7. EC welcomed the repeal of Khalsa University Act and thus paving the way of restoration of original status of Khalsa College for Women and Khalsa College of Education for women. MEETINGS Meeting with Education Minister on 27 th Sept. 2017: PCCTU delegation led by President Dr. Mukhwinder Singh and comprising of Gen. Sec. Dr. Vinay Sophat, Area Sec. Dr. Tarsem and Fin. Sec. Dr. jaswant met Education Minister at her residence on 27 th sept., 2017. PCCTU memorandum was discussed in detail. She assured the delegation to do the needful at the earliest after the elections. So on minister s assurance PCCTU postponed the rally scheduled to be held at Dinanagar on 04 th October, 2017. Meeting with OSD to CM: PCCTU delegation led by President Dr. Mukhwinder Singh and comprising of Area Sec. Dr. Tarsem, District Presidents Dr. Malkiat, Dr. Charanjit EC member Dr. B. B. Yadav met Capt. Sandeep Sandhu OSD to CM. He personally got the meeting fixed with Education Secretary for 6 th October, 2017. Meeting with Education Secretary: PCCTU delegation led by Vice- President Dr. Avtar Singh and comprising of Gen. Sec. Dr. Vinay Sophat, Area Secretaries. Dr. Tarsem, Dr. Balbir Singh and Fin. Sec. Dr. jaswant met Education Secretary S. K. Sandhu I.A.S. on 6 th October, 2017. He patiently listened and discussed all the issues as per memorandum. He specifically asked for one month to get all the inputs on the issues. Now we are pursuing the matter further. 3
Meeting with Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha: A deputation of our grant in aid contractual teachers met led by Vice- President Dr. Avtar Singh met Speaker Rana K. P. Singh at Anandpur Sahib and he assured of getting the issue of regularization of contractual teachers resolved. GNDU AREA GNDU got new Vice- Chancellor Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu. PCCTU welcomes and congratulates him as VC. GS wrote and mail letters to VC requesting him to revoke the unlawful extension to Principals after their retirement at the age of 60 years. I also sent a detailed memorandum regarding the issues of GNDU teachers. Area Secretary Prof. Tarsem sent the memorandums twice. PCCTU delegation led by Area Sec. Dr. Tarsem and comprising of Prof. Pargan, Prof. Sukhdev Randhawa, Prof. B. B. Yadav, Prof. Malkiat, Prof. Rupinder Kaur met with Registrar, GNDU and Controller Examination. Then on 26 th October PCCTU delegation met VC Dr. Jaspal Singh along with Registrar, GNDU. Talks were quite positive. All the issues including approval of DAV teachers, as guide for Ph. D. students, remuneration, flying squad duties etc. were discussed in details. However, due to rescheduling of theory exams and practical exams during vacations, there is lot of resentment among the teachers. So Area Secretary again met the GNDU officials. I also wrote again to VC to reschedule the vacations from 18-12-2017 04-01-2018 to 24-12-2017-10-01-2018. I categorically mentioned that a few years back we were compelled to boycott the exams during vacations. PU AREA In my previous circular, I had recognized the support of my colleagues who supported our point of view regarding CBCS in colleges. However, I have come to know that Prof. H. S. Gosal and Prof. Dalip also supported our views. Area Sec. Prof. Jagdeep also submitted memorandums to VC and Dean, CDC. So we recognize their support too. EC in its meeting on 26 th Nov. decided that regarding this a detailed note will be submitted to VC, PU. Chd. For this, a committee comprising of Prof. Jagdeep, District President and Distt. Secretary CHD. Distt. Council and Prof. Amnider Chopra has been formed. They will submit the note to GS and then PCCTU will do the needful. Regarding the re-employment of Principals after their superannuation at the age of 60 years, GS wrote letters to VC and all the senators. In the meeting of the senate on 24 th September, 2017 many senators raised their voice for the right cause. As soon as I get the proceedings I shall their names too. VC was compelled to adjourn the meeting on this issue. We are thankful to these friends and expect the same support in future too. GS again wrote to VC for meeting and even approached 4
Chancellor of PU., Chd. for intervention. We are grateful to worthy Chancellor PU., Chd. for acceding to our request by seeking comments on our representation. It compelled VC to bring it on the agenda of Syndicate meeting on 19 th November. However, syndicate decided to continue with their earlier unlawful decision, so we shall continue to get the things corrected for the benefit of our teaching community. We shall oppose every move of the Principals and anybody who encroaches the rights of the teachers. For us our top priority is our teachers not Principals. No one can betray teaching community by siding and supporting this unlawful extension given to Principals violating the all the rules and regulations at the cost of the teachers. In the senate meeting on Sept. 24, Prof. Jagdeep raided the issue of regularization o contractual teachers. VC assured to write to CM, Pb. on this issue. One of our colleagues was suspended in D. M. College, Moga. PCCTU immediately took up this case and sent a committee of Prof. Kashmir Singh and Prof. Surjit Singh who twice visited the college and talked to authorities. Then our delegation led by Prof. Jagdeep, Prof. Kashmir Singh and Prof. Surjit Singh again met the Management Representative Sh. R. N. Joshi in the college. Attitude of Mgt. representative Sh. R. N. Joshi was quite positive. We were successful in getting our colleague reinstated honourably. GS was regularly in touch with the deputation members, college teachers and Management. Chandigarh District Council was successful in getting the issues of up to date DA., CAS for the teachers resolved. Congrats to them esp. Prof. Bhupinder Singh, Distt. President, Prof. Himanshu, Distt. Secretary and all other friends. PUNJABI UNIVERSITY AREA Prof. Avtar Singh Vice President, PCCTU settled the issue of approval of Prof. Manjit Kaur of SBFSZS college Morinda. VICTIMIZATION/HARASSMENT OF TEACHERS: Regarding the issue of harassment of teachers at SBASM college, Domeli, PCCTU delegation of Vice-President Prof. Avtar Singh, EC member Prof. Sukhdev Singh and Distt. President Prof. Harbans Singh went to the college and were successful in getting the issues resolved amicably. However, the teachers are now again complaining of harassment by college authorities. EC in its meeting on 26 th nov. took a serious note of it. If the problem persists then an action plan may be announced. In P. C. M. S. D. College, Jalandhar, two teachers were relieved after getting their posts filled under grant-in-aid scheme. They were serving for the last 25 and 8 years respectively. Local unit successfully got them reinstated. GS assured them of all types of assistance. Congrats to the efforts of the members of local unit. 5
Though the Khalsa University Act has been repealed by the Pb. Govt. and same has been upheld by hon ble High Court still teachers are being harassed by the Principal who is enjoying the illegal benefit of Extension. PCCTU condemns this attitude of the Principal and Management. We are fully supporting the teachers there who are fighting bravely. After the intervention of PCCTU, local unit of APJ college, Jalandhar took up their issues with the college authorities. I have learnt that many issues have been resolved and we hope very soon they will get all the dues. One senior unaided teacher has been suspended in KMV Jalandhar. She is fighting her case bravely in the tribunal. Principal who is working unlawfully under extention was clearly told in the tribunal that she can not act as Principal after 60 years as she is not getting any grant for the same post after 60 years. PCCTU condemns the anti teacher actions of the Principal. In Sikh National College, Banga our senior lady teacher has been suspended on flimsy grounds. PCCTU condemns the action of college authorities. Soon action plan will be announce taking the concerned teacher in to confidence. Teachers of GGS Khalsa College are also being denied their genuine benefits. GS will pursuing their case in consultation with teachers of local unit. PFUCTO: PFUCTO meeting was held on 30 th September, 2017 at PAU, Ludhiana. PCCTU was represented by Vice-President Prof. Avtar Singh and Gen. Sec. Dr. Vinay Sophat. All the stake holders i.e. PCCTU, GCTA, PUTA, PAUTA, GANDUTA, PUTF, etc jointly resolved to fight against the centre and state govt. on common issues like 7 th pay commission, regular posts etc. Dr. Jagwant Singh requested to relieve him from the responsibility of Gen. Sec. PFUCTO but all present turned down his request and appealed him to lead them in this crucial struggle. EC MEETING ON 26 TH NOVEMBER, 2017: PCCTU EC met on November 26, 2017 at Guru Nanak College, Killianwali. We are grateful to Principal Dr. Surinder Singh Thakur for the warm welcome and his interest in hosting the meeting. This was the first PCCTU EC meeting in the history of the College. We are thankful to the local Unit esp Prof. Bharat Bhushan (District President) for the hospitality extended to EC members. Meeting was presided over by Dr. Mukhwinder Singh worthy President. Gen. Sec. presented his report and it was thoroughly discussed. Teachers of GN College, Killianwali and DAV College Gidderbaha shared their problems. Our former EC member Prof. B. S. Jassal specially came to greet the EC members. In this meeting following decisions were taken unanimously:- 6
PCCTU ACTION PLAN: 16 th JANUARY, 2018 TWO HOUR CAMPUS DHARNA (11.00AM- 01.00 PM) 23 rd JANUARY, 2018 DISTRICT RALLIES AFTER SECOND PERIOD AREA RALLIES WILL BE HELD AFTER FIRST PERIOD AS FOLLOE]W 30 TH JANUARY PANJAB UNIVERSITY AREA RALLIES *Mukatsar, Moga, Ferozepur and Fazilka at Mukatsar * Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur At LUDHIANA * CHANDIGARH AT CHANDIGARH 6 th FEBRUARY PUNJABI UNIVERSITY AREA RALLY AT PATIALA 16 TH FEBRUARY GNDU ASR. AREA RALLY AT AMRITSAR District Presidents of the concerned district in consultation with OB of the area will finalize the exact location and other modalities of the rallies. DATE AND VENUE OF STATE RALLY WILL BE ANNOUCED LATER. In its earlier meetings it was resolved to seek legal opinion in case of unaided teachers who are not given their genuine Financial benefits. EC resolved to file a suit regarding this. EC decided to seek names of unaided teachers who are not given complete benefits so as they will be made petitioners. Managements of the respective colleges will be respondents. University and Pb. Govt. will be made parties. All the assistance financial as well as other will be provided by PCCTU. As soon as we get the names of the teachers suit will be filed within 15 days. Some friends wrote to GS to clarify the issue of Unlawful extension/reemployment of Principals beyond 60 years because PCCTU took a firm stand on this issue keeping in mind the interests of the teachers and teachers alone. Perhaps they could not read our previous circular No-6 dated 28-07-2017 and were having an impression that it was not discussed in EC meeting. In this circular it was reported PCCTU has strongly rejected and condemned the illegal and arbitrary extension in age from 60 years up to 65 years given to the Principal by the Universities. It is completely violation of the UGC and Punjab govt. rules. We shall not accept two principals in a college. It is nowhere in the world and universities cannot act as violators of the rules of Punjab Govt. As the govt. is not giving any grant it is illegal burden on the students. It has completely stopped the promotion channel of the teachers. Moreover these orders have made the will and wish of the managements above all rules and regulations. We shall fight to get the justified rules prevailed. GS reminded the house that right from OB meetings in June 2017, this issue was taken up unanimously by EC in its meeting on July 09, 2017 at BUC Batala. In its meeting on Sept. 17, 2017 it was further resolved to fight it legally too. Some of those friends who sought clarification were also present in these meetings. So a suit was filed in Pb. and Haryana High Court on 6 th 7
November, 2017. EC asked the teachers to disassociate themselves from the contents of the letter which is against the interests of the teachers. GS explained the house the steps taken in this regard and the role played by various fellows in the meeting of Senate PU., CHD. GS wrote to VC three times since Sept. 2017. Many teachers and other fellows supported our cause in the Senate. THEIR NAMES WILL BE MENTIONED IN THE NEXT CIRCULAR AS WELL AS OF THOSE WHO OPPOSED. GS also requested Chancellor, PU., Chd to intervene and the latter asked to VC to comment on the letter sent by GS. EC further resolved to fight this case more vigorously at all levels. PCCTU resolved to hold EC meeting in every district so as no district should feel ignored and it will help in more involvement of teachers from that district. EC unanimously resolved to give another chance to Ex. Officio member of PCCTU Executive in connection with show cause notice issued to him. His reply was rejected as unsatisfactory and he is to submit fresh reply within seven days. EC authorized Office Bearers to take decision after that time period because the interests of PCCTU cannot be compromised. EC unanimously resolved to oppose the change the name of Dayal Singh College, New Delhi. We are not against naming of any institution in national and social interests but by undermining the contribution of any Educationist, revolutionary, freedom fighter etc. Though many issues of teachers concerning DAV colleges were settled during last few months yet some are still pending. These will be got resolved soon. EC requested the members who are regularly absent from the EC meetings to ensure their presence in future. Issue of teachers of Arya College, Ludhiana also came in discussion. Regarding the queries about enrolling the new grant in aid teachers as members of PCCT, let me make it clear again that PCCTU has already allowed them to be our members as per constitution. Hundreds have been enrolled as members. So others who could not become members should seek membership of PCCTU without delay. BEREAVMENTS: PCCTU offers condolences on the sad and sudden demise of Prof. (Mrs.) Jeewan Sodhi, BBK DAV College for women, Amritsar and Mother of Prof. Shaminder Sandhu, former EC member. We pray to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed soul and bestow strength on the family members to bear this irreparable loss. TEACHERS UNITY ZINDABAD, PCCTU ZINDABAD. Yours truly, (GENERAL SECRETARY) 8