AUT to fast for 6,000 teachers’ promotion

Stating that there has been an undue delay of four years for their first promotion, Prof Ravichandran, general secretary of AUT, said the teachers constitute more than 50 per cent of the total number of faculty.

Several representations have been made to the department of higher education and education minister. Despite dharnas, fasts , rallies and protests in the unit, zonal and the state levels, the higher education secretary, who convened the meeting of the joint action council of college teachers, assured swift and speedy action on March 3, 2014. But ever since, he has refused to meet the office bearers and the representatives of the associations and insists on prior appointment, the AUT alleged. More than three letters requesting appointment for talks are pending in his office.

“The managements of National college, Tiruchy, TUK College, Karanthai, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, CBM College , Coimbatore, have been victimising teachers who question the corruption and malpractices in these colleges. This could range from closure of aided course, pay cuts, increment cuts, denial of promotions, non-sanctioning of GPF loans, denial of access to UGC minor project, suspension and termination,” Mr Ravichandran alleged.

Despite the AUT obtaining orders from the government, the director of collegiate education and regional joint directors through continuous representations and various kinds of agitations, the managements have refuse to implement them. They have even dishonoured court orders, the AUT alleged.

Hence, to draw the attention and intervention of the CM, the central executive of AUT plans picketing on September 2, 3, 4, and 5 in Chennai.