Contractual Employment Cancellation in Gauhati University Emerges Severe Criticisms

Contractual Employment Stopped in Gauhati University

GUWAHATI: As Gauhati University has dropped appointments of all the teaching staff serving on a contractual basis with impact from June 30, this year, severe criticisms have been expressed over social media. The order is additionally relevant to any teacher whose contract reached out beyond June 30. In the midst of the second wave of COVID pandemic, it has made chaos among the teachers' fraternity as well as would leave a vacuum in the academic issues of students in numerous departments.

As per sources, the troublesome choice is required to get a gigantic reaction on Monday. A source expressed that the classes will be hindered since the teachers 'suspended' from duty will not take any classes. Students of the college through social media expressed their anxiety over the 'current' lack of teaching faculty. They expressed that the further excusal of teachers will prompt academic dangers in the University.

Along with criticisms over social media, the Post Graduate Students Union (PGSU) of the university has denounced the decision. The notification stated, "It is advised for information of all concerned that all contractual appointment of teaching faculty has been halted w.e.f. 30.06.2021. This is additionally appropriate to those whose agreement period is substantial past 30.06.2021 assuming any."

The step was taken after an order from the Chancellor of the University, Governor Jagdish Mukhi through a letter dated April 13, 2021, which was trailed by a meeting of the VC with him on June 9, and a correspondence got from the Governor's office on July 2. VC Pratap Jyoti Handique has addressed the media after meeting the members of the Gauhati University Teachers Association (GUTA).

A meeting was held in December 2018, where the Governor had said to the Vice Chancellors of all state universities that contractual employments across the universities cannot be approved.

The VC noted that as new courses and programmes were started and as certain departments have a lack of permanent faculties, there was a need for teachers to operate these academic programmes, and the contractual teaching staff were appointed.

He further expressed that there have been a few meetings from that point with the department and faculties where it has been advised that the contractual employments will be dropped.

Gauhati University Teachers Association has gone against the choice and requested the 'status quo.' The teachers association expressed that in order for contractual employments to be rejected, permanent posts in all departments are required. Without filling the gap, such a decision cannot be acknowledged.

Remarkably, there are more than 50 contractual teachers across 40 departments, and institutes, and almost 400 employees are on the permanent role whereas 130 posts are on vacant.

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