UoM retd profs hit streets demanding pension, arrears

The retired professors of University of Mysore are up in the ante against the varsity authorities for not clearing their arrears and pension.

The pensioners, who gathered in front of Kuvempu Statue at Manasagangothri, slammed UoM Vice-Chancellor G Hemantha Kumar for the lapses. Professor Shivaraj said that despite several representations made to the VC, he has failed to release full pensionary benefits.

In March 2020, the government of Karnataka released Rs 78.14 crore to pay the 7th pay UGC arrears to all the teachers, but, the University failed to pay. The varsity has distributed Rs 28.14 crore arrears to a few professors. The balance of Rs 50 crore is lying idle with the University since June 2020.

Since it is the responsibility of the university to disburse pensionary benefits, UoM could have disbursed the arrears of pensionary benefits from Rs 50 crore to the professors who superannuated between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2020 and could have claimed reimbursement from the government later.

Khaiser Jahan Begum, retired professor of Library Science, who served for 41 years, said, "Mysuru is pensioners’ paradise and the UoM is century-old and a well- known varsities globally. But, the varsity is ill-treating it’s pensioners."

“When I joined service four decades ago, I never dreamt of this day. The varsity is hurting the pensioners, who had served the varsity for several years. The authorities has not only sent us out unceremoniously, but, has made us feel terrible at the advanced age. The protest by the retired professors to get their legitimate dues is shameful to the varsity,” she said.

The VC has no time to look after students and to settle the benefits of retired professors, said agitators.

The professors, who retired after April 1, 2018, from Bengaluru University, Davangere, Karnataka, Kuvempu and Mangalore Universities, and also Government colleges in the state have received full pensionary benefits, they claimed.

The VC explained, “We have written 10 letters to the state government and I have personally contacted Higher Education Minister in this regard.”

The professors have been given the benefits of the 6th pay, but, the difference of sixth pay and seventh pay has to be given, he said.

There is a delay by the government in releasing the funds due to Covid-19 and it will be settled by the end of March. The retired teachers are waiting from last eight months to get their pensionary benefits, he said.