Pune News : NET-SET qualified go on indefinite hunger strike
Pune News : NET-SET qualified go on indefinite hunger strike
By: Pune Pulse
November 25, 2023
Pune: Against the background of the government to hold the State Eligibility Test (SET) twice annually, the National Eligibility Test ‘NET, SET, PhD Holder Sangharsh Committee’ has launched an indefinite hunger strike in front of the office of the Director of Higher Education (DHE).
Their main requests include the implementation of a 100% full-time recruitment policy for NET and SET-qualified teachers, the elimination of the clock-hour basis (CHB) part-time appointment policy, and the appointment of permanent full-time assistant professors in unaided colleges, among other issues. In response to the unrest, the government has suspended regional coordinators and imposed restrictive mandates.
The Sangharsh Samiti had organized a walkathon from Pune to Raj Bhavan in Mumbai from November 20 to 24 to draw attention to their demands. The group also plans to return their degrees to the Governor, who serves as the chancellor of public universities. Despite the suspension of 15 coordinators and police restrictions, the Sangharsh Samiti has launched an indefinite hunger strike, now in its sixth day.
The demands include:
- 1. State universities and colleges are in the process of recruiting 100 full-time faculty members to strengthen the academic staff and enhance education quality.
- 2. The implementation of the ‘Equal Work Equal Pay’ policy to ensure fair compensation for all employees, discontinuing the existing CHB policy to promote equality in pay.
- 3. Efforts to expedite ongoing faculty recruitment and hiring within the designated time frame to meet staffing needs.
- 4. Appointment of permanent full-time assistant professors in unaided colleges to provide stability and continuity in the academic workforce, benefiting students and institutions.
