Teaching faculty at Bharathiar University boycotted classes and staged a sit-in protest on Monday, alleging prolonged delays in promotions, arrears and reimbursement of bills. The protest was withdrawn after the Registrar assured them that their demands would be addressed by August 15.
Coimbatore: Coimbatore: Academic activities at Bharathiar University were partially disrupted on Monday as faculty members boycotted classes and staged a sit-in protest on the campus, pressing for the resolution of long-pending service-related demands, including promotions, arrears and reimbursement of bills.
The protest saw the participation of professors, associate professors and assistant professors under the leadership of K. Vasanth, Associate Professor (Botany) and President of the Bharathiar University Teachers’ Association. The faculty accused the university administration of failing to address their grievances despite repeated representations over the years.
Speaking to Simplicity, one of the protesting professors said that career advancement promotions from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and from Associate Professor to Professor have remained pending for more than eight years. He alleged that the delays stem from prolonged administrative issues, including the absence of a regular Vice-Chancellor, leaving several eligible faculty members without promotions despite fulfilling the required norms.
The professor further alleged that even in cases where promotions had eventually been approved, the consequential financial benefits, including arrears arising from the delayed implementation, are yet to be disbursed. He added that reimbursement claims for various academic and research-related expenditures, including project expenses incurred by faculty members, have also remained pending for a considerable period.
The protesting faculty maintained that they had repeatedly submitted representations seeking redressal of these issues, but no concrete action had been taken, compelling them to resort to the protest.
Following the demonstration, a delegation of faculty members met Registrar Rajavelu and submitted a memorandum detailing their demands. According to the faculty, the Registrar assured them that the administration would take steps to address the pending issues and sought time until August 15 to initiate the necessary action.
In view of the assurance, the faculty withdrew their protest and resumed normal activities. However, they cautioned that if the promised action is not taken within the stipulated timeframe, they would be compelled to revive their agitation.
The protest saw the participation of professors, associate professors and assistant professors under the leadership of K. Vasanth, Associate Professor (Botany) and President of the Bharathiar University Teachers’ Association. The faculty accused the university administration of failing to address their grievances despite repeated representations over the years.
Speaking to Simplicity, one of the protesting professors said that career advancement promotions from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and from Associate Professor to Professor have remained pending for more than eight years. He alleged that the delays stem from prolonged administrative issues, including the absence of a regular Vice-Chancellor, leaving several eligible faculty members without promotions despite fulfilling the required norms.
The professor further alleged that even in cases where promotions had eventually been approved, the consequential financial benefits, including arrears arising from the delayed implementation, are yet to be disbursed. He added that reimbursement claims for various academic and research-related expenditures, including project expenses incurred by faculty members, have also remained pending for a considerable period.
The protesting faculty maintained that they had repeatedly submitted representations seeking redressal of these issues, but no concrete action had been taken, compelling them to resort to the protest.
Following the demonstration, a delegation of faculty members met Registrar Rajavelu and submitted a memorandum detailing their demands. According to the faculty, the Registrar assured them that the administration would take steps to address the pending issues and sought time until August 15 to initiate the necessary action.
In view of the assurance, the faculty withdrew their protest and resumed normal activities. However, they cautioned that if the promised action is not taken within the stipulated timeframe, they would be compelled to revive their agitation.