PU lecturers drop plan to boycott valuation

 The valuation of second year PU answer scripts is likely to take off smoothly on April 5, with lecturers deciding to be lenient on their threat to boycott valuation.

Earlier, protesting against the State government’s ‘apathy’ in addressing their demands, the lecturers had threatened to boycott valuation completely. However, after a recent meeting with Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar, the lecturers have decided to go ahead with the valuation sporting black ribbons, after a symbolic protest in the morning. The valuation has been scheduled for 10 days and will be wrapped up by April 15.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, S R Venkatesh, a senior member of the Karnataka State Pre-university Lecturers Association, said they would limit their protest to the morning session of valuation on the first day. In the afternoon, they will start the valuation process, he said.

“Our file has been forwarded to the finance department. The final decision lies with the chief minister. Since they have initiated the process, we have decided to go ahead with the valuation process by afternoon.”

The association members are still waiting for a meeting with Siddaramaiah to discuss their concerns. PU lecturers across the State have been asking the government to address several issues pertaining to their work conditions.

The lecturers’ major demands are for the government to give promotions to those who have joined service through direct recruitment and to set right pay anomalies. The previous government had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Kumar Naik, the then secretary, primary and secondary education. Naik’s report in this regard was in favour of the lecturers and was submitted in July 2011. The lecturers have urged the government to implement the recommendations of this report.