10 months on, big bonanza awaits state college teachers

Jaipur: It took Vasundhara Raje government 10 months to make changes in service rules regarding designations of college teachers in accordance with UGC norms. The change in designations is expected to cost the exchequer Rs 6.77 crore annually.

On Monday, chief minister Raje announced that the notification changing designations would be issued soon. The long-pending demand by college teachers was first accepted by the CM at a meeting with Rajasthan Universities and College Teachers Association (RUCTA) on January 11.

As per UGC norms, lecturers will be considered in two categories of professors (25%) and associate professors (75%).

The post of professors will be given to those who hold positions of principals or equivalent while the rest will be made associate professors. The proposal has been approved and sent to the finance department.

College teachers in Rajasthan are hired as 'lecturers' by the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC). But the UGC recognises only three designations such as assistant professor, associate professor and professor in colleges and universities.

The designation of 'lecturer' is not recognized by the UGC since 2010. The mismatch in designations has prevented college teachers with the designation of 'lecturer' from taking up research projects from funding agencies or fellowship programmes.Also, the pay commission too categorises teachers in these three positions for academic and financial benefits.

For college teachers, the decision has come as a Diwali. Narayan Gupta, general secretary of RUCTA, said the move would become an equaliser and put all teachers on equal footing. "The absence of recognised designations has cost our teachers dearly as they were not qualified to apply for any funding through UGC, DOT, CSIR, AICTE and ICSSR. Now, our teachers can pursue academic excellence," said Gupta.

The association is hoping that the government would complete the administrative formalities soon. It was not an easy for RUCTA to get the government to make the announcement. "After the first announcement was made in January, we have continuously pursued the issue by holding meetings at different levels. At last, we have heard the positive news today," said Gupta.