JOIN USLecturers to boycott evaluation
Announcing the decision, the Karnataka State PU College Lecturers’ Association President Thimmayya Purla said it members would hold a ‘pen-down strike’ at all evaluation centres across the State. The lecturers are citing the inaction of the government in redressing the disparity in pay scales between degree college lecturers and PU lecturers for their protests.
“Even though we have the same qualifications, there is a disparity of nearly Rs 11,000 in our starting salaries”, said Thimmayya. “Even when we compare our salaries with those of neighbouring States such as Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, we earn Rs 10,000 less at the entry level”, he added.
Currently, PU lecturers earn Rs 19,175 at the entry level, while in States like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, they earn as much as Rs 30,000.The association has blamed the fifth pay commission, which they claim is responsible for the disparity in their pay.
The association has stated that it will continue with the boycott until the State Government provides them with interim relief. They have also demanded the constitution of a committee to look into their demands, provide a separate payscale for PU college principals, introduce academic grade pay, and salary increments for those withMPhil and PhD.
The boycott of evaluation of II PU examination results comes at a sensitive period when students are gearing up for various entrance examinations across the country.
“We hope both parents and students will understand our plight and join in our struggle”, said Thimmayya. The lecturers will turn up at the evaluation centres on April 8 and then hold a protest march to Freedom Park.