At least 12 colleges funded by the Delhi government are under pressure to pay salaries to their employees. This includes professors – both permanent and non-permanent – and non-teaching contract-based staff. The colleges cited the reason for the non-payment of grants by the AAP-led Delhi government.
While the intensity of the problem varies from college to college, more than 1,500 teachers and 2,000 staff members are having to depend on their savings for the day. One of the most affected colleges is the Maharaja Agrasen College of Delhi University.
Speaking to News18, Bhupinder Choudhary, who taught history at Maharaja Agrasen, said, “We had not received salary since June. However, after several letters and pleas, we got one month’s salary last week. We are yet to get the dues for three months. The real struggle is for temporary teachers and non-teaching staff. Many contract based employees in our college get salary of only Rs 15,000 per month, they are finding it difficult to make ends meet.
The issue of non-payment continues. Teachers say that this problem has persisted for more than two years. Neenu Kumar, associate professor at Aditi Mahavidyalaya College, says, “When we agitate, only then we get our salary. Though we have received our salary for September and October, we have been told that this is the only grant that has been provided to the college by the Delhi government. We may face wage crunch again this month.”
From struggling to pay EMIs to delaying medical treatment, several teachers said the Delhi government has asked colleges to release salaries from the Student Welfare Fund. Sanjeev Kaushal of IGIPESS said, “Student Welfare Fund cannot be used to provide salaries of teachers. It should be used for the welfare of the students. Secondly, the student welfare fund cannot meet the requirement of funds provided by the government. The colleges which come under the Delhi government should be 100% funded by the government. Instead, it seems there is an attempt to introduce courses that will promote self-reliance, which really means promoting courses that will bring in more money.”
A few days ago, the Delhi government had also issued notices to these 12 colleges, accusing the principals of instigating the teachers against the government. The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) is writing to the Delhi University VCs and governments alike.
Speaking to News18, Rudrashish Chakraborty, who teaches English at Kirori Mal College and is also a DUTA activist, said, “There is a struggle between the two sides to have complete control over the governing body in these colleges. Teachers are falling prey to this struggle due to non-payment of salary for months.
While the staff of these 12 colleges are in limbo, News18 tried to get in touch with the AAP spokesperson regarding the issue and is awaiting response. This article will be updated as soon as News18 receives a reply from the AAP government.
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