CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations (PFUCTO), has flayed the UGC  notification issued today on  revision of pay of teachers and equivalent cadres in universities and colleges following the revision of pay scales of Central Government employees on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC). 

Dr. Jagwant Singh, general secretary of the PFUCTO, said,’ This is the worst ever pay scale notification for teachers of colleges and universities since independence.  Our apprehensions on severe cut in central financial support to states for implementation of revised grades for teachers of state universities and colleges have unfortunately come true. The assistance stands drastically reduced to 50% from 80% in all previous pay scale notifications earlier. Moreover, the period of central assistance has also been reduced from 51 to 39 months now.  This will create serious problems for the uniform implementation of pay scales throughout the country. Further, the GOI will find it difficult to maintain and co-ordinate standards in higher education.’ 

He added, ‘Also,  incentives in form of advance increments for obtaining the degrees of M.Phil or Ph.D. have been withdrawn. The pay scales of principals of undergraduate colleges have been lowered from Professor to Associate Professor, and the pay-scale anomalies remain un-addressed.’