Govt holds back 7th pay for profs

Bhopal: Higher education department has put on hold its circular on implementation of 7th pay commission’s recommendation for college and university teachers after objections raised by University teachers’ association.

Sources said department which had announced the revised scales of professors on the higher education website withdrew it later. Official sources said revised pay will be released on Tuesday after consulting the university faculty members. The department on Monday evening declared that it has implemented the seventh pay commission of higher education teaching staff. However, the university faculty members objected forcing the department to withdraw it in two hours from the official portal. President, university teachers’ association, Dr SK Mishra said,“In past 6 pay commissions, university faculty were never neglected. This time, there was no mention of them. We have objected it.” Meanwhile, higher education minister, Jeetu Patwari told media that Rs 2,000 cr has been sanctioned by World Bank for infrastructure development in MP. “We will develop 200 new colleges in MP from the amount,” said Patwari. He said that those universities which have completed 15 years will have to follow the NAAC guidelines. “Strict action will be taken against those universities who do not follow the guidelines,” he said.

About deputation, Patwari said all faculty members who are on deputation are being sent to their parent departments. About issues regarding assistant professors’ recruitment through PSC, Patwari said all issues will be sorted out. It is learnt that the circular had proposed that professors and other college staff would get a hike of Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000 per month from January 1 this year.