22-04-2025
Faculty members of Puducherry Technological University announce indefinite sit-in protest from April 24
Faculty members attached to the Pondicherry Engineering College Teachers Association (PECTA) on Tuesday decided to go on a sit-in strike indefinitely from April 24 in front of the Puducherry Technological University (PTU), in support of their charter of demands.
A spokesperson of PECTA said the PTU administration and the Puducherry government had failed to address the genuine demands of the faculty members, including immediate formation of the Board of Governors, recruitment of faculty and staff, and implementation of Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) for promotions, among others.
The absence of the Board of Governors, the supreme authority of the university had crippled the working of the institution. Though it has been five years since Pondicherry Engineering College was upgraded to PTU, the Board of Governors has not been formed.
'Despite the absence of Board of Governors, a transit Governing Body adapted from the erstwhile Pondicherry Engineering College structure and chaired by the Secretary of Education was convened on February 21, 2025. The meeting resolved that all appointments of Deans and Directors must be made strictly by adhering to the PTU Act and Statutes, rendering current appointments invalid,' a faculty member said.
However, contravening this resolution, the PTU administration convened meetings of Deans and Directors on April 10, 2025, which was seen as against the GB's decision.
Further, the administration has neither formally communicated the GB's resolutions to the affected appointees nor corrected these procedural discrepancies, thus continuing to mislead the faculty and disrupt governance norms, according to PECTA.
The Association also sought expeditious steps to address the long-pending demands of faculty members that are essential for the university's progress and integrity.
