Pay disparity: PU lecturers observe 'Black Shivarathri'

Hundreds of lecturers and principals of government pre-university colleges from across the observed 'Black Shivaratri' by staging a demonstration at Maurya Circle in Bengaluru to mark their protest against the pay scale recommended by the 6th pay commission.

The protesters said that their concerns about pay disparity have not been addressed by the government despite several promises in the past.

S R Venkatesh, secretary of the lecturers' association said that in 2016, after they protested for 18 days, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had promised them two increments but only one increment was given. "The chief minister said the issue would be addressed by the pay commission. The Primary and Secondary Education minister Tanveer Sait told us they would make a recommendation to the pay commission. A recommendation was given but the report given by the commission on January 31 does not meet our demand," he said.

On January 31, the chairperson of the pay commission M R Srinivasa Murthy submitted the panel's report to the chief minister. The association has demanded that principals should receive Rs 74,400 as basic pay but the commission has recommended Rs 56,800. They have based their demand on the Rs 78,800 basic pay that their counterparts in Kendriya Vidyalayas get.

The total salary, including HRA and other benefits, recommended by the commission is Rs 71,032 while the principals have demanded Rs 92,856. Similarly, lecturers have demanded a basic pay of Rs 52,650 while the commission has recommended Rs 43,100. The total salary recommended by the commission is Rs 54,044, while the lecturers have sought Rs 65,886.

The principals' and lecturers' association will hold their next meeting on February 27. If demands are not addressed, the associations may decide to boycott evaluation of the upcoming second year PU exams.