| |
Following
is the text of the statement made by Smt. D. Purandeswari,
Minister of State in the Ministry of Human Resource
Development, regarding Revision of Pay Scales of Teachers in
Universities and Colleges, in Lok Sabha today :
“Sir, this august House has expressed its concern, from
time to time, for the need to strengthen the quality of
higher education in the country. One of the critical factors
affecting the quality of universities and institutions
imparting higher education, is our inability to attract and
retain young and talented persons to the teaching
profession, leading over a period of time to shortage of
teachers in central as well as state universities and other
higher educational institutions. It is estimated that in
Central Universities and constituent colleges thereof,
approximately twenty-five percent of posts of teachers are
lying vacant. Vacancies in teaching posts in State level
institutions are known to be even higher.
As a sequel to the 6th Central Pay Commission, the
University Grants Commission (UGC) had constituted a Pay
Review Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. G.K.Chadha,
Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister on
6th September, 2007 for recommending, among other things,
the ways and means of attracting and retaining talented
persons in the teaching profession and furtherance of
research in the University system. The Committee submitted
its report to the University Grants Commission on 3rd
October, 2008 and the UGC furnished its recommendations on
10th October, 2008. An Empowered Committee was constituted
on 10th October, 2008 and based on its recommendations, the
proposals formulated by the Ministry were considered by a
Committee of Secretaries in its meeting held on 5th
December, 2008. I am happy to inform the House that
Ministry’s proposals have since been approved by the
Cabinet on 15th December, 2008. I also take this opportunity
to share the important features of the revised pay scales
and service conditions for teachers in Universities and
Colleges as approved by the Government:
(i) There shall be only three designations in respect of
teachers in universities and colleges, namely, Assistant
Professors, Associate Professors and Professors.
(ii) No one shall be eligible to be appointed, promoted or
designated as Professor, unless he or she possesses a Ph.D.
and satisfies other academic conditions, as laid down by the
University Grants Commission (UGC). This shall, however, not
affect those who are already designated as ‘Professor’.
(iii) In place of “Grade Pay” as applicable to Central
Government employees, the term “Academic Grade Pay” (AGP)
shall be used for the teachers and equivalent positions.
Different Grade Pays of Rs. 6000, Rs.7000, Rs. 8000,
Rs.9000, Rs.10000 and Rs.12000 have been approved as AGP for
teachers and equivalent positions.
(iv) Higher Academic Grade Pay of Rs. 6000 has been
recommended for all Assistant Professors at the entry level
so as to make it more attractive compared to the entry level
Grade Pay for the Civil Services and other professionals
under the 6th Central Pay Commission.
(v) Five non-compoundable advance increments shall be given
(as against 4 at present) at entry as Assistant Professor
for the degree of Ph.D. obtained in the relevant discipline
and if the same is from a university complying with the
process prescribed by the UGC in respect of enrolment,
course-work and evaluation of the degree of Ph.D. At entry
level, teachers possessing M.Phil or post graduate degrees
such as M.Tech/LL.M etc., in the relevant professional
courses as approved by the relevant statutory councils shall
be given 2 non-compounded advance increments. Those who
acquire these degrees in the relevant discipline while being
in service shall be allowed three non-compounded advance
increments for Ph.Ds and one increment for M.Phil or post
graduate degree acquired in the relevant professional course
such as M.Tech/ LL.M. etc.
(vi) For the first time ever, posts of Professors shall be
introduced in both under-graduate and post-graduate
colleges. The number of posts of Professors in UG Colleges
shall be 10 percent of the number of posts of Associate
Professors. There shall be as many posts of Professors in PG
Colleges as the number of Departments.
(vii) 10% of the posts of Professors in universities shall
be in higher Academic Grade Pay of Rs. 12000 with prescribed
eligibility conditions.
(viii) NET shall be compulsory for appointment at the entry
level of Assistant Professor, subject to the exemptions to
Ph.Ds in respect of those persons obtaining the award
through a registration, course-work and evaluation process,
as have been/ or may be laid down by the UGC through its
regulations, and so adopted by the University. NET shall not
be required for such Masters’ programmes for which NET is
not available.
(ix) Those who are presently working as Lecturer (Selection
Grade) or Reader shall continue to be so designated till
they become eligible for the post of Associate Professor.
(x) Parity between teachers and the Librarians/Directors of
Physical Education shall be maintained, except for the age
of superannuation, which for Librarians/Physical Education
personnel shall continue to be 62 years.
(xi) Though the posts of Registrars, Finance Officer,
Controller of Examinations, Deputy Registrars and their
equivalent posts were not within the purview of the Pay
Review Committee of UGC, their pay scales have also been
decided by the Cabinet.
(xii) According to the past practice, financial assistance
will be provided by the Central Government to the State
Governments which may opt for these revised pay scales, to
the extent of 80% of the additional expenditure involved in
the implementation of the revision for the duration from
1.1.2006 to 31.3.2010, subject to the condition that the
entire pay revision/ pay scales package scheme, together
with all the conditions laid down in this regard by the UGC
by way of Regulations, and other reform measures are
implemented by the State Governments as a composite scheme.
However, the State Governments shall be free to implement
revised scales of pay from a date later than 1.1.2006 and
also to prescribe higher scales of pay, depending on their
local conditions. However, the Central Assistance shall be
limited to the UGC scales of pay and only for the period
ending on 31.3.2010.
(xiii) While the revision of pay will take effect from
1.1.2006, the allowances (except DA) and advance increments
etc. shall take effect from 1.9.2008.
(xiv) All prescribed requirements of Selection other than
those mentioned above shall continue to be applicable.
Under the revised Scheme, Assistant Professors have been
placed in the Pay Band of Rs. 15600-39100 entering at the
AGP of Rs. 6000. A teacher with a Ph.D.degree can move from
the post of Assistant Professor to Associate Professor after
completion of 12 years of service as Assistant Professor,
spending 4 years at the AGP of Rs. 6000, 5 years at the AGP
of Rs. 7000 and 3 years at the AGP of Rs. 8000. Teachers
with M.Phil and those with a post graduate degree in a
professional course entering as Assistant Professors can
become Associate Professor after 13 years of service. Those
with neither Ph.D. nor M.Phil. etc. shall qualify to become
Associate Professor after 14 years of service as Assistant
Professor.
The Associate Professors have been placed in the Pay Band of
Rs. 37,400-67,000 with Grade Pay of Rs. 9,000. While, under
the existing scheme, teachers without Ph.D. could rise up to
the post of Lecturer (Selection Grade), they can now go up
to the level of Associate Professor, based on the prescribed
selection process.
As against a period of 17 years for a teacher possessing
Ph.D. at the entry level to be eligible to become Professor
through selection, the present decision of the Government
would enable them to be selected as Professor after 15
years.
A teacher with 10 years as Professor would be eligible to be
considered against 10 percent of the posts in the higher
Academic Grade Pay of Rs. 12000.
Sir, we have begun a process of restoring the dignity and
pride in being associated with the teaching profession. This
decision to improve pay and other emoluments and to provide
more attractive service conditions to the teachers is only
one of the several steps required to attain the broader
objective of improving the quality of higher education. This
august House would, I hope, agree that this is a significant
step towards that goal. I place on record my gratitude for
permitting me to make this statement amidst important
business before the House.”
* * *
RCJ/KKP/SH/CS |
|