SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 3: Ranchi University and Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University (BBMKU) Dhanbad have thrown a Human Resources Department (HRD) order to the wind on honorarium payment to contractual teachers of constituent colleges.
The HRD had issued a notification for all universities of the state to ensure payment of a fixed honorarium of Rs 57,700 per month to contractual teachers of constituent colleges by involving them in academic and non-academic work even on holidays.
Vinoba Bhave University (VBU) Hazaribagh, Kolhan University (KU) Chaibasa, Sido Kanhu Murmu University (SKMU) Dumka began payment as per the directive of HRD but Ranchi University (Ranchi) and Binod Bihari Mahto Koylanchal University (BBMKU) Dhanbad are still paying on the basis of working days classes in a month.
Sources said that Ranchi University authorities have agreed to pay the honorarium fixed by HRD, but the principal is opposed. At the same time, in BBMKU Dhanbad principals of colleges are in favour of full payment but university authorities (in the regime of sacked Vice-Chancellor Dr Sukhdeo Bhoi) opposed it.
However, the present Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr PK Poddar assured to pay as per the notification of the HRD when a delegation of Constituent Colleges Contractual Teachers Association (CCTA) under president Dr Himanshu Shukla met him and requested for justice.
“The VC Dr Poddar assured us to do the needful action after studying the notification of the HRD regarding the honorarium payment to contractual teachers”, said Dr Himanshu Shukla.
Need -Based Teachers were appointed in constituent colleges across the state to cater to the requirements. At first, the HRD fixed Rs 36,000 but nine months ago increased it to Rs 57,700 on the basis of classes as per UGC guidelines.
“The HRD also directed the university authorities that besides classes on working days, also involve contractual teachers in examination, evaluation, library and NAAC preparation in summer vacation and other holidays so that they could get full honorarium payment (Rs 57,700) per month. But university authority pays only for working days classes”, said Dr Himanshu Shukla.
KU Chaibasa Post Graduate Teachers Association president Dr Rajendra Bharti and SKMU Teachers Association general secretary Dr Santosh Sil said in their universities contractual teachers get an honorarium of Rs 57,700. But in case the teachers do not attend allotted classes, Rs 900 is deducted per class.