The Himachal Pradesh University Teachers’ Welfare Association strongly opposed the meeting of the Executive Council of Himachal Pradesh University on Saturday and alleged that the meeting turned into a platform for political decisions, ignoring the interests of teachers and the varsity.
President of the Association Dr Nitin Vyas, stated that thousands of teachers working in higher educational institutions across the state—whether Universities or colleges—had been struggling for the past seven years for their legitimate right of promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS).
He said that CAS was not merely a promotion scheme, but an essential mechanism for ensuring academic growth, research advancement, and maintaining institutional quality. However, the failure to effectively implement this scheme in the state had not only demoralised teachers but had also adversely affected the quality of higher education.
Dr Vyas stated that Himachal Pradesh had perhaps become the first state in the country where teachers were being systematically deprived of their legitimate rights. This had not only increased dissatisfaction among teachers but had also led to a growing disillusionment among talented youth towards the teaching profession.
General Secretary of the association, Dr Ankush Bhardwaj, said that the recent decision of the state government to deduct 3 per cent from the monthly salaries of Class A and Class B employees was completely anti-employee and authoritarian in nature. He said that while the government was withholding the legitimate financial benefits of teachers and employees, it was simultaneously imposing salary cuts, which is unjustifiable in every sense.
He alleged that the state government was placing an economic burden on employees to compensate for its increasing revenue deficit, which was highly condemnable. In this period of rising inflation, when common employees were already struggling to support their families, such decisions were only worsening their difficulties.
The Association stated that while the political class and senior bureaucrats continue to enjoy various facilities and subsidies, ordinary employees and teachers are being consistently neglected. "This dual policy was not only unjust but also against democratic principles."
The Association raised serious concerns regarding the role of the university’s Executive Council. According to Himachal Pradesh University Teachers Welfare Association, the Executive Council, which was the highest decision-making body of the University, haS deviated from its core purpose and haD turned into a political arena. The decisions being taken here were neither in the interest of teachers nor conducive to the overall development of the University.
Dr Vyas emphasised that the Executive Council should take decisions while upholding academic dignity, transparency, and fairness, rather than functioning under political pressure. If this situation continues, it will have serious long-term consequences on the university’s reputation and academic environment.
The Association warned that if the long-pending demands related to CAS were not fulfilled at the earliest and anti-employee decisions were not withdrawn, the Association would be compelled to launch a widespread movement. Teachers from all Universities and colleges across the state will actively participate in this movement.
The Association demanded restoration of pending promotions under CAS with immediate effect, withdrawal of decision on 3% deduction in salary imposed on Class A and Class B employees, release of pending financial benefits of teachers, such as Dearness Allowance (DA) and other allowances, should be released at the earliest and the University’s Executive Council should be freed from political interference and its autonomy must be ensured.
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