PUNJABCHANDIGARH COLLEGE TEACHERS’ UNION
Dr. Kuldip Singh(M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D.)
General Secretary (FellowPanjabUniversity) Post Graduate Dept. of Political Science
204, Mahavir Nagar, Opp. MBD Mall, GuruNanakNationalCollege, DORAHA
Fzr. Road, Ludhiana-141012
Ph.Off.: 01628-258560, Fax: 01628-256731
Ph. Resi, 0161-2551560, Cell: 98555-96480 e-mail:
------Ludhiana Circular-06 12/2/2014
PCCTU ZINDABAD TEACHERS’ UNITY ZINDABAD
Dear Colleagues:
The Executive Committee of PCCTU met at GGN Khalsa College Ludhiana for two purposes viz to analyse the prevailing situations regarding Khalsa College Amritsar, no receipt of quarterly grants since May 2014 and to pass one resolution regarding to carry on the collection of past history of PCCTU. and hail the efforts of Prof Tarsem Bahia for his commendable job by writing a book on the history of PCCTU entitled “Seene Khich Jina Ne Khadi”.We organised one seminar cum book release function.The book release cum discussion (Lok Arpan ate Vichar Gosti) function was organised at GGN Khalsa College Ludhian. The Book written by Prof. Tarsem Bahia, a renowned educationist, trade unionist and a social activist, narrated his autobiography cum rich experiences as an Educationist and Trade Unionist entitled “Seene Khich Jinah ne Khadi” Since the experiences as trade unionist relates to Punjab & Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union hence the function was initiated by PCCTU with the kind cooperation of GGN Khalsa College Ludhiana. The seminar (Vichar Gosti) attracted the renowned personalities of education cum trade union like Principals Satish Sharma Director DAV Managing Committee, Mrs Jasveer Makkar,Prem Singla,Narinder Sandhu, Jatinder Kaur, Mr Guriqbal Singh, Maghar Singh, Shinder Pal Singh etc and trade unionists like Prof Jaipal Singh, Prof S S Hundal, Prof R S Brar, Prof KBS Sodhi, Prof P S Gill, Prof Jagwant Singh, Prof H S Walia, Dr Surjit Singh, PAUTA former and present leadership etc. The two research papers were presented one by Dr Yog Raj Angrish (Fellow PU) in which he did the complete analysis of the book and designated the book a masterpiece of a teachers’ movement of the decades of 70s, 80s and 90s. The book not only included the complete history of struggles fought and issues resolved as victory of the movement along with the different phases of the challenges to higher education in India and Punjab. In his paper dr. Yog Raj designated Prof. Bahia a ‘karamyogi’ a dedicated educationist, social reformer and trade unionist. The second paper was presented by Prof Bawa Singh in which he highlighted the historic struggles of PCCTU like 1966, 1972, 1984 and 1986 and the role of Prof Tarsem Bahia in achieving the landmark achievements like Service Security Act of 1974, 95% grant in aid to colleges, UGC pay scales for college teachers, establishing parity of DPEs/Librarians. He specially lauded the role of PCCTU under the leadership of Bahia during militancy in Punjab. The seminar was presided over by eminent scholar/ historian former Pro-Vice Chancellor S. Prithi Pal Singh Kapoor. In his concluding address he lauded the efforts of Bahia in creating a history of teachers’ movement and the role played by Prof Bahia. He cautioned the trade unionists that they should not be committed onlyto their personal interests but they should also take the duties of an educationists committed to societal cause. We are thankful to the managing committee, principal and staff of the GGN Khalsa College Ludhiana for hosting the seminar and meeting of EC.
Executive Committee Meeting:
The EC discussed theprevailing circumstances particularly non-receipt of Grants till May 2013 and a severe challenge to the existence of PCCTU posed by Principal Khalsa College Amritsar with their false complaint against 22 teachers of the college including two women teachers and our, then General Secretary, Prof. H.S. Walia. Application filed by Principal of the college on 24.01.2014 against Prof. H.S. Walia shows that authorities are targeting Prof. H.S. Walia since he was our General Secretary, PCCTU who lead the movement against conversion of KhalsaCollege into private University. Attack on our leader under such circumstances ought to be seen as attack on PCCTU. It is for your information that in application dated 24.01.2014 it has been prayed that“Mr. H.S. Walia may be taken into custody till the conclusion of the trial in interest of justice.” We simply reiterate that we have fought number of battles with Govt in collaboration with Principal associations/federation and we do not believe in individualizing the issue and we always fight for the cause not against any individual but societal cause. Our victory on this issue justifies our actions. We also discussed the non compliance of union directives by the Khalsa college teachers and to take appropriate action against them.We shall request to the Principal Association GNDU to mediate for the amicable solution of the problem. Otherwise we shall be compelled by the circumstances to adopt some harsh agitational modes.
The following action plan has been chalk out:
Extended Executive Committee Dharna in front of DPI Colleges on February 18:
An extended EC dharna will be held on Feburary 18 in front of DPI Colleges Punjab, Mohali because of our long pending demands like PCCTU is compelled by the circumstances to adopt the path of agitations and hold a protest rally today in front of DPI Colleges (Punjab, Mohali) against the non payment of salaries for the last seven months. The first quarterly grant (March to May) was distributed in the month of November and the grants of three quarters are lying pending with the Govt. We have been repeatedly requested the Govt that quarterly grant should be sanctioned in the beginning of the first month of every quarter and final adjustments should be made in the last quarter. We fail to understand the reasons of undue delay despite the required 95% grants of RS 200 crores were sanctioned in the beginning of the financial year 2013-14.Under such circumstances the Union is compelled to adopt the path of agitations. The education department has exhausted all its funds meant for quarterly grants allocated in the budget. Though EM assured us in official meeting on December 16 that grants will be provided up to December 31, yet no substantial steps have been taken. The bill of 69 crores meant for the deficit grants/arrears are lying pending in Treasury and likely to be disbursed up to February 20.We met Finance Secretary on February 11 and requested him to arrange more funds for remaining three quarters but he explained the bad shape of treasury and assured that Punjab Govt is trying to get loan. When we shall receive the loan FD will arrange more funds for aided colleges. All the EC members are requested to bring at least five teachers with them to make a dharna grand success.
Two Hour Stay in Strike on February 22 and 25:
All the units will observe two hour from 11am to 01pm stay in strike. Units will issue press release against the Principal/Management of the Khalsa College Amritsar because of their false complaints against 22 teachers of the college including two women teachers and our, then General Secretary, Prof. H.S. Walia.
State Level Demonstration at Amritsar on February 26:
All the units and members of PCCTU will avail mass casual leave on February 26 and will reach Amritsar. The rout of demonstration and venue of Rally will be decided by the District Leadership. Since it is a challenge posed to our existence hence it is obligation of our each teacher to reach Amritsar. The future course of action will be declared on the rally.
Lifting of Ban on Recruitment:
The hearing of the case of lifting of ban on recruitment was February 10. The Principal Secretary Finance was summoned by High Court. Finance Secretary told the court that FD has cleared the case of lifting of ban on recruitment on teaching posts and file has been sent to CM for approval, which is expected in a week. As per our prayer Hon'ble Court asked for the position on non-teaching posts for which FD sought some time. Court asked them to file on affidavit for both teaching/non-teaching posts byMarch 31, 2014.
Membership for the year 2014-15:
The EC has decided to raise the membership fee from Rs 620 to 700.The membership for the coming session of PCCTU shall be completed up to March 31, 2014. The membership for the session 2014-15 shall be Rs 700/. It is for the kind information of the units that in the next year elections of the PCCTU only those units will be entitled to cast their votes who deposits the membership fee of two consecutive years. Hence to deposit the membership fee for consecutive two years is compulsory to get the voting rights. May I remind the units again that coming deadline for membership will decide their voting rights. It may be possible that EC may not extend the last date. We are trying our best that this year we may get membership forms on line to collect the complete information of teachers. The membership forms are also available on our website www. pcctu.org and units if desire can download the form of membership. The membership forms along with bank drafts may be reached on the following address: Prof. V K Sareen, 20- Suriya Vihar, Near DAVCollege, Jalandhar. Pincode : 144008. The membership drafts should be in the name of Finance Secretary, PCCTU, Payable at Jalandhar. The Units may also send their membership fee by inter-city cheques /online cheques or depositing money in union PNB account no 1344000101291299. If the unit opts to deposit fee directly in union account hence it is obligatory for the unit to send written information of their deposit to Finance Secretary and General Secretary.
Dr. Kuldip Singh (General Secretary)
9855596480