Bhubaneswar: The General Body of the Utkal University Teachers’ Association (UUTA) held on 20th September 2018 had resolved to resume the postponed protest against administrative apathy towards the genuine demands of faculty members. This time, a delegation would go and meet Honorable Chancellor to seek his intervention in breaking the inertia of inaction by the university authorities. The GBM has also resolved to enter into the last phase of the protest by empowering the office bearers to take immediate action.
It is noteworthy to mention that the Utkal University Teachers’ Association (UUTA), is on protest against the apathy of the university administration and the State Higher Education Department from 10th July onwards on demands include immediate implementation of Career Advancement Scheme (CAS), implementation of the 7th Pay –Scale Revision Committee recommendations, immediate repair of residential quarters, confirmation of faculty members, advance increment for M.Phil/Ph.D holders, redesignation of Readers, recruitment of Non-Teaching staff, NPS arrears and insurance schemes among other demands. However, on the promise of the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar and the Chairman –PG Council, to fulfil all the demands by 31st August, the association had postponed the protest on 25th July and cooperated with the administration by taking additional responsibilities to speed up the process. However, the vice –chancellor, although promised several times and gave several deadlines to fulfil the demands, have not bothered to proceed on any of these promises. On the other hand, the frequent absence of the Vice-Chancellor and other key officials have even marred the day –to-day functions of the university. Hundreds of files are being piled up in the office of the VC and the registrar for approval and there is no progress on critical issues.
Feeling frustrated with such inaction by the vice chancellor and his administration, the General body has resolved that the association would resume its postponed protest and would request an audience with the Chancellor. Addressing the gathering in the General Body Meeting held at the Department of Statistics on 20th September 2018, Prof. Kunja Behari Panda, Secretary-UUTA said ‘being a former academician, Honorable Chancellor would definitely intervene in breaking the inertia of inaction of the university authorities. If needed, I shall be on a “Hunger Strike till death” from 2nd October onwards if the authorities are still adamant in not fulfilling their promises.’
In the absence of the president, the General Body Meeting was presided over by Prof. Maheswar Sahu, Vice-President UUTA,.
Comments are closed.