SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 7: Need-based contractual lecturers in the constituent colleges of Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University (BBMKU) Dhanbad will now get paid (honorarium) as per guidelines of the higher education department.
The Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr. PK Poddar and Registrar Dr Kaushal Kumar assured implementation of the HRD directive on honorarium payment when two members delegation comprising Dr Himanshu Shukla (PK Roy Memorial College) and Dr Neeraj Dubey (Katras College) of Contractual Teachers Association met him.
“The new vice-chancellor and registrar in a meeting of around one hour heard our demands and assured us to decide after studying the directive of the HRD on this issue after the Chhath festival,” said Dr Shukla.
The BBMKU VC and registrar asked the delegates to meet after the festival and directed them to give their demands in writing.
As per HRD guidelines, need-based contractual lecturers of the state would be paid a minimum of Rs 57,700 per month based on 16 weekly classes.
The universities in the state including Kolhan University Chaibasa, Vinoba Bhave University (VBU) Hazaribagh, and Sido Kanhu Murmu University (SKMU) Dumka pay their contractual teachers Rs 57,700 per month.
But BBMKU Dhanbad pays an honorarium to their contractual teachers based on 24 working days. If any holiday such as Muharrum, Jamasthami, or other festival falls on a working day, BBMKU authorities deduct payment of classes (Rs 900 per class).
“Sacked VC Dr Sukhdeo Bhoi and finance department officers of his team never gave us time and never agreed to hear our grievances and claim on the directive of HRD. We are grateful to the present VC and registrar who gave us time to meet and assured to do needful after the Chhath festival”, said teachers delegates.
Contractual teachers of the BBMK University had been demanding payment on the basis of 16 classes in a week as HRD has asked. On this basis, if any holiday falls on a working day, the teachers would compensate the classes (16 classes in a week) on other working days.
A contractual teacher said HRD has also directed to involve these teachers in the examination, evaluation, NAAC and other works in summer vacation so that they could get a full monthly honorarium of Rs 57,700.
