Tribune News Service

Amritsar, November 16

In response to a call given by the Punjab Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisation (PFUCTO) teachers of Amritsar district held a protest outside the residence of Deputy Chief Minister OP Soni on Tuesday.

The teachers have been demanding implementation of 7th UGC Pay Commission and withdrawal of the decision to delink from their salary from the UGC pay scales. On October 19, Minister of Higher Education Pargat Singh accepted the demands and teachers broke their 45-day long chain fast.

Dr Lakhwinder Singh, chief, Guru Nanak Dev University Teachers’ Union, said the decision of the state government would be disastrous for higher education. “The regulation issued by the UGC for higher education is mandatory as it is a Central law. All institutions will disqualify from getting research and development grants from the UGC, DST, DBT and other wings of the Government of India,” he said, adding that the Centre was also quiet on the issue as 50 per cent of the arrears were to be released by them.

Dr GS Sekhon, member, Punjab Federation Of University and College Teachers’ Organisation, said if the revised pay scales were not released within stipulated time period by the state government, there’s a possibility that the benefit would lapse.

“The state government is sitting on the decision for the past five years. In the absence of Deputy CM OP Soni, we gave our demand letter to Congress youth leader Vikas Soni. Today’s protest is prelude to the court arrest on November 23,” said Dr Sekhon.