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MLC plans plaint against DPUE director for poll code violation

Last Updated 14 April 2018, 17:48 IST

Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Council Marithibbegowda said, he will complain to the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary of the Education Department against the Director for PU Education (DPUE) in connection with the violation of the model code of conduct (MCC) in the wake of the coming Assembly polls.

Addressing media persons, here, on Saturday, he said, the PU Director has issued an order on April 11, curtailing the summer vacation of the lecturers by a month.

"The circular, regarding the academic timetable for the year 2018-19 directs the lecturers to start engaging classes from May 2 itself. According to the earlier schedule, the PU colleges were supposed to start in the month of June. The government and the officials are not entitled to pass orders that relate to policies of governance when the poll code is in force," he pointed out.

"The excuse of the department, to curtail the holidays of the lecturers, is the welfare of the students. Neither experts nor association leaders were consulted by the department officials before taking the decision. Already, the lecturers are conducting special classes after working hours and also on Sundays, since two years, to help below average students. Now, the director has violated the right of the lecturers for summer holidays," he said.

Pointing out that the other government employees have a total of 30 earned leave, he said, the lecturers are ready to serve throughout the year, if similar leave benefits are extended to them.

"At present, the PU lecturers have only 10 earned leave. Besides, they are deputed to training and orientation programmes during Dasara and summer holidays," he said.

"If the government, which speaks about the welfare of the students, is really concerned, it should fill the existing vacancy of 2,900 lecturers and stop hiring guest faculty. The last recruitment of 1,300 lecturers was done in 2013. Applications were invited to fill 1,200 posts in 2016, but, so far, the government has not been able to conduct the exam for the applicants. The government is harassing the guest faculty by deputing them to colleges in places 50 to 70 km away from their native places for a few days in a week, citing excess faculty.

"For a meagre salary of Rs 9,000, the lecturers are made to slog for up to 16 hours per week. The guest faculty are not hired as per the requirement of the colleges. Besides, they are hired at least three months after the commencement of the academic year. So, how does the government claim that it is safeguarding the interest of the students," he questioned.

Demanding a hike in the remuneration of the guest faculty from the present Rs 9,000 to at least Rs 15,000 per month, Marithibbegowda said, the principals should be empowered to appoint guest lecturers at the beginning of the academic year itself. Retired principal Jayaram Keelara and retired lecturer Shankaregowda were present.

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(Published 14 April 2018, 17:36 IST)

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