MU teachers stage protest
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, February 04 2014:
As part of the ongoing cease work strike of the Manipur University Teachers' Association (MUTA) which began on February 1, the association today staged sit in protest at a traffic island, located inside Manipur University campus and resolved to come up with more stringent agitations if their demands are not fulfilled.
According to president of the teachers association, M.Ranjit, the demands have been made to streamline the functioning of the university.
The list of demands made by the teachers association includes appointment of statutory/Non-statutory posts, implementation of scheme of Higher Academy Grade Scale, provide seed money as per UGC norms for research related works, providing scale of furniture, strengthening the existing departments, following SR/FR for service lien, upgradation of internet facilities and giving uniform honorarium/pay to all re-employed teachers/visiting fellows/part time/guest lecturers as per UGC norms.
It may be mentioned that MUTA had resolved to proceed with the demands following a meeting held on December 31, 2013 last year regarding deadlock over non-fulfillment of demands.
With regard to the demands made by the association, a discussion session was conducted on January 31 last month, along with MUTA and a committee comprising of the dean of the university which was a special body formed by the MU authority to look into the issues.
Soon after the meeting with the committee, the association had also met with the vice chancellor of the university to highlight their issues.
Even after such meetings and talks, the association's demands were not paid due attention and interest which it sought.
As such, the teachers' association had resolved to take up the cease work strike and abstain themselves from work.
Expressing strong disapproval towards the authorities of the university who are remaining silent spectators, the association has said that it would go further with many more stringent agitations till their voices are heard and demands fulfilled.
The following series of agitations to be launched would be decided after a general body meeting which is scheduled to be held on February 10 .
On the other hand, the Manipur University Students' Union (MUSU) Revival Demand Committee (RDC) which is pressing the MU authority for installation of the students union in the university, has today protested in front of the Manipur University gate, on the national highway by burning articles.