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Polytechnic college lecturers to launch stir

PUDUCHERRY: Lecturers of polytechnic colleges run by the Pondicherry Institute of Post Matric Technical Education (PIPMATE) will launch a series of protests from January 23, demanding that the pay scales recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission be implemented and salary be disbursed on time.

There are nearly 2,300 students studying at four polytechnic colleges run by the PIPMATE, a government-sponsored autonomous society, at Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.

The colleges, which have been functioning for 20 years, have nearly 300 employees, including 150 lecturers, PIPMATE Employees Federation secretary P. Lakshumanaswami told a press conference on Saturday.

“The pay scales recommended by the Sixth Pay Commission have been implemented for the non-teaching staff of the colleges, with the 40 per cent arrears pending. But it has not been implemented for lecturers. Furthermore, the salaries of the lecturers are not being disbursed on time for the past six months, on grounds of lack of funds,” he said.

He said the lecturers were not receiving 20 per cent house rent allowance. The government ordered an increase in the annual fee for students from Rs. 125 to Rs. 7,000 from the coming academic year so as to improve the finances of these colleges. The students were mainly from poor families, so the government should not increase the fee, he said.

Mr. Lakshumanaswami demanded that the lecturers be given senior scale and selection grades, and the dearness allowance be increased.

The association would launch the agitation, with a demonstration scheduled for January 23.

“If the government does not act in a month, we will go in for a sit-in from February 16,” he said.

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