The Joint Action Committee representing all Himachal Pradesh universities and government college teachers’ associations on Monday cautioned the state government over what it described as an insensitive approach towards granting university and college teachers their rightful benefits under the 7th Central Pay Scales, as implemented by the University Grants Commission through its Order No. 23-4/2017 dated January 30, 2018.
Addressing the media, Joint Action Committee President Professor Janardan Singh and General Secretary Professor Nitin Vyas stated that in several other states, university and college teachers were already receiving their dues and promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). In contrast, the Himachal Pradesh government issued Notification No. EDN-A-Kha (15)-3/2021 regarding UGC 7th Pay Scales on May 1, 2022, and another notification Agr. B-B (8)-3/2022, dated October 1, 2022, which included a condition that salary revisions under CAS and for higher qualifications, would only be implemented after a separate notification by the state government.
They pointed out that since no such separate notification has been issued, no promotions have taken place in colleges and universities across Himachal Pradesh since 2022.
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The Committee further highlighted that many teachers were set to retire within the next two years, but have been deprived of their due promotions due to the non-implementation of CAS.
They alleged that while employees and officers in other government departments were receiving promotions and benefits, teachers in higher educational institutions were being treated unfairly. According to them, this ‘step-motherly treatment’ was worsening the condition of colleges and universities, and adversely affecting the quality of education in the state.
Professor Singh and Professor Vyas also warned that the government’s indifferent stance could lead to protests. They criticised the administration as being anti-employee, citing issues such as delays in Dearness Allowance payments and the incomplete implementation of the 7th Pay Commission scales. They urged the government to immediately issue the required notification to enable salary revisions under CAS and for teachers acquiring higher qualifications.
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