Anna University teachers seek promotion, protest

Chennai: More than 100 faculty members from Anna University on Tuesday went on a hunger strike in their campus demanding immediate implementation of Career Advancement Scheme (CAS), a time-bound promotion pending for over six years.

Their 7-point charter of demands also includes appointment of a non-corrupt person as vice-chancellor and transparency and fairness in administration.

“University authorities say guidelines for CAS are ready and are awaiting government’s approval. There is no valid reason for not issuing the government order implementing CAS,” said S. Chandramohan, secretary, Anna University Teachers’ Association.

“Because of the delay in implementing the time-bound promotion, some faculty members have not received a single promotion in the last 15 years,” he said.
Some faculty members complaint that they are facing many hardships in attending conferences in other cities.

“Only the faculty members who receive the grade pay of '7,000 and above can travel in aeroplanes and avail other benefits,” a member said. “If the government did not pay heed to our demands, we plan to approach the court,” Chandramohan said.

The association also urged the higher education department to appoint vice-chancellors as per UGC regulations. “Tamil Nadu universities have to modify their statutes with regard to vice-chancellor appointment to adhere to UGC regulations as per the directive of Madras High Court,” said I. Arul Aram, president, Anna University Teachers’ Association.

Earlier, the university administration asked faculty members to drop the protest saying it would initiate disciplinary action against them. Despite that, several faculty members including some senior professors participated in the protest.