Latest news with #AssociationofUniversityTeachers
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Aided college teachers protest delay in CAS salary benefits
1 2 Madurai: Around 300 faculty members, including 100 women professors from govt-aided colleges, staged a day-long sit-in protest on Monday at the Joint Director of Collegiate Education Office in Madurai. The demonstration was led by the Association of University Teachers (AUT) and the Madurai Kamaraj, Manonmaniam Sundaranar, Mother Teresa, and Alagappa University Teachers' Association (MUTA), representing aided college staff across Tamil Nadu. The protest was part of a coordinated statewide agitation across eight zones — Chennai, Trichy, Vellore, Dharmapuri, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, and Thanjavur — demanding immediate implementation of long-pending Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) salary benefits and arrears, delayed by over four years. While the higher education department had issued Government Order No. 5 sanctioning CAS promotions and pay hikes, aided college teachers alleged they have yet to receive any benefits, unlike their counterparts in government colleges who were paid their dues. "Out of the eight zones, CAS benefits have been implemented only in Coimbatore and Thanjavur," said Dr A T Senthamarai Kannan, general secretary of MUTA. "We've raised this issue more than 30 times, but there's been no resolution." He pointed out that despite a directive from the chief minister for immediate implementation of government orders, aided college faculty remain excluded. He also noted that incentive increments for MPhil and PhD holders have not been disbursed. The unions said the higher education department had assured them in June that CAS benefits would be included in the July 2025 salary, but the promise was not kept. Protesters urged the government to release the pending CAS salary and arrears without further delay. MSID:: 122955317 413 |
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Association of University Teachers protests delay in CAS promotions, dues
COIMBATORE: The Association of University Teachers (AUT) held a protest in front of the regional joint director of collegiate education in Coimbatore on Monday demanding the implementation of the career advancement scheme (CAS) and the disbursal of pending dues for teachers in govt-aided colleges. AUT zone VII representatives later submitted a petition to regional joint director N Shenbagalakshmi. They highlighted that more than 5,000 teachers in 162 aided colleges had been denied CAS promotions, pay and arrears for over four years. This severely impacted the career growth of faculty members, despite the issuance of the govt order (GO) No 5 in 2021, which covers both govt and aided college teachers. AUT zone VII secretary K Saravanakumar called the unequal implementation of the GO a betrayal and criticised the govt for ignoring the concerns of aided college teachers. He said several senior faculty members were unable to apply for key academic posts due to the delay in promotions. The association alleged that the joint director's office was refusing to accept CAS proposals, citing internal orders to restrict funds to salaries alone. AUT further raised concerns over the non-payment of incentive allowances for teachers holding MPhil and PhD degrees, which they say is discouraging research activity in the state. AUT plans to intensify protests, with a state-level demonstration scheduled in Chennai on August 7.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
AUT writes to CM on withdrawal of SLP in SC
Trichy: The Association of University Teachers (AUT) has written to chief minister M K Stalin over the demand for withdrawal of the special leave petition (SLP) filed in the Supreme Court, which they say unfairly blocks the promotion and monetary benefits due to aided college teachers under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). In a statement, general secretary of AUT, K Raja, said that while teachers in govt colleges have received CAS benefits as per GO No. 5 dated Jan 11, 2021, their counterparts in aided colleges have been denied the same. "Thousands of teachers are pushed to the corner over the denial of CAS benefits, leading to frustration," said Raja. The petition said that despite court orders in favour of teachers from Urumu Dhanalakshmi College in Trichy, including directions to release monetary benefits, the higher education department moved the apex court. Citing selective implementation of CAS benefits in certain regions like Coimbatore and Thanjavur, the AUT called the SLP "anti-teacher" and urged the state to uphold parity and fairness by immediately withdrawing it.
The Hindu
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
AUT to intensify struggle to secure CAS promotions for aided college teachers
The Association of University Teachers (AUT) has decided to intensify struggle to ensure justice for teachers in aided colleges by securing Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) promotions and related monetary benefits on an even keel with their counterparts in government colleges. In a virtual meeting on July 18, the Central Executive Committee of AUT, while deliberating on the CAS promotions and salary arrears, expressed 'deep disappointment over the continued apathy' of the State government in implementing the benefits, despite numerous representations and many agitations organised across the State. A resolution was adopted to expose on July 27 in Tiruchi the 'discriminatory practices' of the Higher Education Department, by way of presentation of facts about denial of CAS to teachers of aided colleges. By another resolution, the AUT decided to conduct a mass protest on August 11, and laying siege of the office of Directorate of Collegiate Education if the Higher Education Department fails to address the demands by then, The meeting, K. Raja, general secretary, AUT, said, exhorted all stakeholders to join hands in the democratic struggle for rightful service and financial recognition.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Frequent transfers of higher education secretaries in Tamil Nadu a cause of concern
The Higher Education Department Secretary, C. Samayamoorthy, was transferred on Monday (June 23, 2025). He has been replaced by P. Shankar, who becomes the seventh secretary to hold the post in the last two years. In July 2023, D. Karthikeyan was transferred from the department and replaced by A. Karthik. Subsequently, the School Education Secretary held additional charge for a few days. Pradeep Yadav followed, and then K. Gopal was appointed, succeeded by Mr. Samayamoorthy. Now, within months, Mr. Samayamoorthy has been replaced by Mr. Shankar. The frequent change of leadership has left teachers' associations discontented. S. Suresh, president of the Tamil Nadu Government College Teachers Association, said a secretary should serve for at least a year to effectively address issues. K. Raja, general secretary of the Association of University Teachers, noted that the government has made no progress in streamlining fees charged by aided colleges, despite forming a committee for the purpose four years ago. 'None of the secretaries have made any effort,' he said. 'A secretary should stay at least a year to understand and address the issues.' He pointed out the Higher Education Secretary also serves as the convenor committee chairman for several universities in the absence of appointed Vice-Chancellors. 'In the past five years, none of the Higher Education Secretaries have functioned effectively. Many have held the position, but few have served the department meaningfully.' He added that the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) benefits have not been disbursed since 2021. 'The problem is not a lack of awareness, but lack of execution,' he said. The fee fixation committee, chaired by retired judge K.N. Basha and formed in 2021, has yet to see its recommendations implemented. The government is also yet to release course fee details for the 2025–26 academic year. 'We have submitted several amendments to the Tamil Nadu Private Colleges Regulation Act, but they have not been taken up,' Mr. Raja added. C. Murugan, president of the Madras University Teachers Association, said successive secretaries have failed to secure grants for the university. Retirement benefits for university employees have been pending since 2017. 'Both teaching and non-teaching staff are under pressure,' he said. He also raised concerns about delays in the university's free education scheme. 'Around 900 students have applied. We were asked to conduct online interviews, but the meeting scheduled for Monday was postponed. Students are expected to join by the end of June. It's disheartening to see their hopes dashed,' he said. 'I am a member of the committee, and seeing their dejected faces is painful.'
