Unanimous resolutions passed by the Executive Committee at its emergent meeting held on October 26, 2012 at 11:00 AM

This emergent meeting of the Executive Committee of AMU Teachers’ Association considered the following:   1. DUTA’s ongoing indefinite hunger strike and agitation.  2. Letter No. 531/LD/Reg. dated 25.10.2012 conveying the AMU  Administration’s response to the AMUTA General Body Resolutions dated  03.10.2012.  3. Teachers’ long standing demands at AMU.  4. Issues arising out of insistence on NEET .  

The following resolutions were passed:

     1. We unequivocally support the issues and demands raised by DUTA in its ongoing agitation against the changes being brought about in higher  education without proper discussion and debate. We pledge our commitment to  the fight of the DUTA for the rights of teachers and express our solidarity  with their struggle and our assurance to stand shoulder by shoulder with  them in all endeavors for the betterment of education and teaching.

       2. *(a) *Considered the letter of the University administration  dated 25.10.2012 in reply to our letter dated 4.10.2012 and pointed out  that a response that took all of three weeks, exemplifies the pace of work  in the central offices. The Executive Committee would like to point out  that using expressions such as *‘…notification shall not be withdrawn…’  and ‘…AMUTA is advised not to be an impediment in proper utilization of 40  hours/ week prescribed’*, needlessly and unnecessarily raises the pitch,  becomes polemical and, thus creates an issue  out of a non-issue. The teachers would like to point out that from the first day of the arrival of  the present Vice-Chancellor; the teachers have been publicly and privately,  on moral and ethical grounds, supporting the effort to improve the academic  functioning of the University that includes the effort to be present in  their Departments voluntarily, even beyond the hours suggested by UGC.  The assertion in the letter of the administration that *“…the VC has received numerous complaints from students that teachers are not available for consultation…”* needs to be concretised and made specific. We therefore request that, instead of a vague general allegation, we should be given specific instances of teachers not being available for consultation, so that we may help in the effort of making them accessible. In the resolution of 3.10.2012, it was mentioned that teachers have notified two periods per day in the publicly available time table. We  had however, pointed out that it will not serve the intended purpose as either we are already available or that these extra two periods shall restrict the time for research and self-study of teachers, in a forty hours’ work week. Our doubt about the usefulness of this exercise is supported by the fact that till date teachers are complaining of non-utilization of consultation periods by students. We reiterate that we are all for modernization and for inculcating twenty-first century skills in the spirit of the comment of a teacher in the public meeting with the VC that the forty hours’ work week was suggested by UGC not for regimental rigidity but for academic flexibility.  However, the V.C.’s mention of Mohammad Ali Clay being his ideal holds hopes for the future, as the earlier Cassius Clay was one of the foremost conscientious dissenters of the Vietnam War, who refused to be cowed down and intimidated and preferred to give up his title and  freedom for the values he held dear. We therefore request that, the Vice-Chancellor may kindly look into our resolution again, we are sure, he would find that we are not confrontationists. We hope he would appreciate the importance of infrastructure facilities and, the role his direct interaction with individual teachers can play for better and improved functioning of academics and the University.    *(b) *Property return is not part of our service conditions as per existing law and the Association is not willing to succumb to threats over nonexistent apprehensions, the original circular of the MHRD was specific about Group A and B Officers and, teachers are not Officers, is an issue that is settled. The fact that a very large number of teachers have declared their returns is neither here nor there, as sullen and resentful compliance of an unnecessary and unjust law is not desirable for a healthy atmosphere in the University. We would very respectfully  point out that if the Vigilance wing of the MHRD initiates action against those that have not submitted their returns, then it would perforce have to open the cases against named individuals of the previous VC’s administration, that would be a very welcome development indeed.

    3. The AMUTA has submitted 15 requests (such as merger of EL/DL, Travel Grant, License fee, Statute 61(3)(k) etc) to the University administration that were assured to be accepted very soon. We would like to know if there is any reason for a complete lack of effort towards solving teachers’ issues and concerns. We hope it is not deliberate and we would not have wait for another month for a response.

      4. We reject the NEET and ask the University administration to safeguard the interests of the institution by getting it rejected from all the University authorities. We would like to point out that the matter has already been considerably delayed and the A.C. meeting should have  been convened much earlier. It may also be noted that regional and local aspirations are defeated by holding a single National Test for a particular course. This single test benefits only the elite class and closes a window of opportunity to the depressed sections of society. It also contradicts the Central Government efforts towards opening of Central Universities and centrally funded institutions all over the country and in every State to cater to regional requirements. It can also be asked why recruitment to posts in various government agencies like the Railways and the Armed Forces are held in different parts of the country, if not to offer an opportunity to otherwise excluded sections for a better life.

    *We therefore resolve that a General Body meeting shall be held on November 07, 2012 at 6:30 P.M. at the Staff Club. (Notice shall be issued separately). *

        (S. Mustafa Zaidi)

S. Mustafa Zaidi

 Hony. Secretary

 Teaching Staff Club, AMU, Aligarh, 202002

 0571-3203520 (O); 0571-2720011 (R); 09411802364 (M)

 Email: secretaryamuta@gmail.com

 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AMUTeachers

 Blog: http://www.secretaryamuta.blogspot.com/

 

AMU Teachers' Association Resolutions on Workload of teachers & Asset declaration

Dear all ASAK,

A word of apology for not posting these earlier:  We had believed that we can keep the differences in perception between the new VC and ourselves on certain issues to be sorted out within the University system, as making them public sometimes leads to misconceptions and unnecessary kite flying on possible motives by quite well meaning people who are not in Aligarh. However, the first  stone was cast by persons who should have known better and a few prickly comments emerged, the AMUTA kept quiet as the AMU as an institution  is much above scoring of debating points. Despite this, recent events have exhibited some alarming patterns that need to be studied and addressed properly; there is apparently an extra constitutional/extra statutory influence at work in important offices that is especially concerned with putting teachers in their places or showing them their auqat . The first step to counter this trend has to be to place our resolutions before the AMU community and try to explain our concerns, as well as our apprehensions and why they matter and, why they should be taken seriously.

 

Mustafa Zaidi

 

 

  MUSLIM UNIVERSITY TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION, ALIGARH

S. Mustafa Zaidi Hony. Secretary

Teaching Staff Club, AMU, Aligarh, 202002             0571-3203520      (O);             0571-2720011       (R);            09411802364       (M) Email: secretaryamuta@gmail.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AMUTeachers Blog: http://www.secretaryamuta.blogspot.com

October 3, 2012

 

Unanimous resolutions passed by the General Body of AMU Teachers’ Association in its emergent meeting held on October 3, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. at the Staff Club.

 

1.      This emergent meeting of the General Body of AMU Teachers’ Association considered the circular regarding work load of teachers viz. two periods to be set aside everyday by each teacher for interaction with the students and the sharing of periods between teachers.  It was pointed out that teachers are always ready to accommodate student-teacher consultation as per the 40 hours’ work week prescribed by UGC and even beyond; however it should not be forced upon teachers but should be voluntary and suggestive. It may also be noted that this notification impinges on the jurisdiction of the Board of Studies. It was therefore resolved that although almost all teachers have made provisions for the same, it is still an imposed time table that is being resented in general and should be withdrawn. The University administration should also follow the UGC guidelines in letter and spirit regarding provision of basic space and infrastructure facilities for individual teachers that should at least be at par with administrative staff. The time suggested for interaction should be realistic by taking into account that many teachers are already involved in engaging 24-25 periods/week where this shall add another 12, what happens then to the UGC recommended 40 hour work week and its suggested distribution. If this is not properly taken care of, very soon the implementation of students teacher interaction daily for two hours shall become a dream again. Regarding sharing of periods it was resolved that Lab./Project/Seminar classes are assigned as per UGC/AICTE /MCI norms that include optimum class size per teacher and therefore are in order.

 

2.      The Office Memo regarding asset declaration was discussed and it was resolved that teachers have no ethical or moral problems for its implementation however the original notification No. C.13011/70/2006-Vig. Dated 29.11.2006 by the Vigilance Secretary, MHRD was only for “Group-A & B officers occupying sensitive posts dealing with administrative and financial matters”. The inclusion of faculty is an afterthought of 1^st August, 2012, it needs to be seen whether this exercise shall yield the  intended results. It was pointed out that till date we are not recognized as Government servants nor are we given the privileges of Government servants such as exemption from income tax of pensionary benefits, or of privileges available as a matter of right to government servants.

            It was resolved that Central Civil Service(CCS) rules cannot be implemented in Universities as our service conditions are different,  for example, we can publicly criticize and express dissent with policies of the Government and are permitted to join/contest elections without resigning from our service. Moreover no ordinary teacher occupies a sensitive administrative or financial post as mentioned in the original Office Memo. Officers of the University are defined in the University Statutes where only one category is from teachers, thus, this whole exercise may be an exercise in futility.

            Additionally, there seems to be no urgency for use of Section 19(3) of the University Act, the Academic Council and the Executive Council should have been allowed to take a decision in normal course. Therefore, we resolve to request that the Office Memo of the MHRD may be sent for legal opinion in so far as it concerns “faculty” before being brought before the University authorities, i.e., the Academic Council and Executive Council that may reject it, therefore, pending their rejection or approval the deadline may be suitably extended.

We condemn the letter of MHRD dated August 01, 2012 (the fourth in the series) that adds ‘faculty’. The General Body authorizes the Executive Committee of AMUTA to take up the matter with the MHRD in collaboration with FEDCUTA and press for its withdrawal, as this seems to be an attempt at curbing our freedom of expression through implementing CCS rule 18 as an anti-corruption measure to ultimately extend CCS rules to stop free speech on campuses.

 

3.      We express satisfaction that the long pending issue of merger of EL/DL for teachers is being brought before the Academic Council in its next meeting and hope that at long last this shall be implemented w.e.f. the due date, i.e., from the date of the V Pay Commission.

 

4.      We again request that a meeting for extending benefits under Statute 61(3)k should be held soon so that teachers get their due benefits without any further delay.

 

(S. Mustafa Zaidi)

AMU Teachers unequivocally condemns increasing incidents of violence on the campus

Unanimous resolution passed by the Consultative Committee of AMUTeachers’ Association in its meeting held on 10.5.2012 at 5:30 P.M. at theStaff Club

This Consultative Committee meeting of AMU Teachers’ Association (comprising elected members ofthe University Court, Executive Council, Academic Council, former Presidentsand Hony. Secretaries of AMUTA along with some teachers who have complained against student indiscipline) unequivocally condemns the increasing incidentsof violence on the campus. We are of opinion that violence should be dealt withand put down firmly; the teachers are ready to extend necessary cooperation to sincereefforts aimed at resolving crises and restoring normalcy. At the same time weare extremely anguished and express our sympathies with the victims of theviolence including students and others. We would appeal to our students tomaintain decorum and preserve the sanctity of the examination process, as disruptionsresult in academic loss. An essential step however, is to conduct an enquiryinto these recurring incidents to identify the causes, their perpetuators andagents.

The ConsultativeCommittee further, notes with alarm and condemns the escalating acts ofexamination related indiscipline at some examination centers. Writtencomplaints have been lodged that students including elected representatives andleaders are intimidating, threatening, employing offensive tone, using abusivelanguage, gheraoing and interfering in appointments of staff, examinationresults, conduct of examinations, naming of departments and courses etc.

At a few places (exampleFaculty of Engineering and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of UnaniMedicine, Faculty of Social Sciences etc. as well as some departments) namedreports have been made against students and student leaders. It may be notedthat the University rules stipulate immediate action against a student on ateacher’s complaint, the enquiry follows subsequently. We urge upon the Proctorto carry out his statutory duty and take action and; the Hon’ble Members of theExecutive Council to ensure that proper action is taken, that can as a veryfirst step involve placing those areas where they have misbehaved, out ofbounds.

The membersexpress whole hearted support to the teachers under threat especially theEngineering College teachers and endorse their suggestions to consider keepingaway from the examination process to safeguard its inviolability, to go onstrike and even to file complaints including with the police, as unlawfulactivities are being committed without any check by the Proctor.

We would requestthat we may be intimated of the action taken by the University administrationon these complaints by close of office hourson Saturday (May 12, 2012). In case proper action is not initiated we shallconvene another Consultative Committee meeting to take stock of the situationand decide on future course of action (that may include convening G.B. meeting,token strike, filing of complaints, etc.) at 8:00 P.M. the same day.
(S. Mustafa Zaidi)
Hony. Secretary, Teaching Staff Club, AMU, Aligarh, 202002
0571-3203520(O); 0571-2720011 (R); 09411802364 (M)

Letter to Members of Executive Council, AMU

ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION, ALIGARH

S. Mustafa Zaidi Hony. Secretary

Teaching Staff Club, AMU, Aligarh, 202002 0571-3203520(O); 0571-2720011 (R); 09411802364 (M) Email: secretaryamuta@gmail.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AMUTeachers Blog: http://www.secretaryamuta.blogspot.com

May 02, 2012

The Hon’ble Members of the Executive Council

A.M.U., Aligarh

Through: The Registrar, A.M.U., Aligarh

A meeting of the Executive Council is notified to be held on May 3, 2012, wherein a number of important decisions are expected to be taken. I shall be obliged, if the following important and urgent matters are also brought to the notice of the Hon’ble Members of the Executive Council, so that they may deliberate and take appropriate decisions:

1. A number of written reports regarding misbehaviour and breech of discipline have been made by many teachers and other staff members. Copies of some of these complaints have also been marked to the Teachers’ Association, they relate to the Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Radiodiagnosis, Department of Psychology, Department of Law as well as misbehaviour in examination related work at the examination centres where mobiles are also being carried inside. The AMUTA has already sent a copy of its resolution regarding the examinations to the members of the Executive Council through the Registrar. The Association would request the members to kindly take note of the problems and issue appropriate directions to control and stop lawless intimidating behaviour on behalf of and by the students. (The original complaints were addressed to University functionaries and are available on record so we are not enclosing copies of the same).

2. The AMUTA has already drawn the attention of the Hon’ble Members to the totally unwarranted extension to the Registrar and through a resolution has requested for its review. Now attention has been drawn to salary abstract voucher no. 31 dated 30.4.2012 from AMU Fund Account for electricity charges Code No. 30416 wherein deductions made out of the salary of Prof. V.K. Abdul Jaleel (ID No. 18687), Registrar in the month of April, 2011 of Rs.84,440/- has been refunded by cheque no.167234 drawn on SBI, AMU Branch of Rs.84,440/-, along with a copy of the cheque, which however has number 167233 (Scans of voucher and cheque attached).

We would request the Executive Council to deliberate on this problem as there are reports that records are being tampered to convert the PVC Lodge, where the Registrar has lived, into an annexe of the University Guest House. The members would agree that this constitutes a very serious matter especially in the light of the findings of the CBI enquiry and would take an appropriate decision.

3. A number of teachers are awaiting promotion to senior scale for the last many years, that is being held up for some misinterpretation of rules modified by the previous corruption tainted Vice-Chancellor, Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis (resolutions already submitted in the University offices).

4. Merger of E/L and D/L for teachers promised under the V Pay Commission has still not been operationalized till now (papers available in the Registrar’s office).

5. Benefits under 61(3)(k) for higher qualifications are also being denied. Similarly many teachers have applied for condonation of break in service in some cases where the intermediate spell is as Guest Faculty these also require to be looked into.

6. Licence fee needs to be rationalized and the classification of houses at AMU needs to be looked into.

7. Teachers are being denied conference travel grant arbitrarily and there are no norms for this facility, a meeting of functionaries held recently came up with totally unrealistic rules which are also arbitrary, these need to be revoked and rational rules made.

8. There are written complaints made to the Vice-Chancellor and Deans where harassment at the instance of some University functionaries, such as Chairmen, Directors and the Principals has been alleged, special mentions must be made of the Principal, University Polytechnic against whom there are many allegations. The members of the Executive Council may kindly issue directions for time bound proper enquiry to be followed by restraining and punishing such actions.

9. Examination’s remuneration requires to be enhanced and the external examiners should be treated as University guests as was the practice earlier.

(S. Mustafa Zaidi)

Attachments: As stated above

Unanimous resolution of the Aligarh Muslim University Teachers’ Association (AMUTA) regarding illegal transfer of servcie sof Teacher to illegal Centre at Murshidabad

Unanimous resolution passed by the Executive Committee of the Aligarh Muslim University Teachers’ Association (AMUTA) at its emergent meeting held on April 23, 2012 at 9:00 PM
The AMUTA Executive Committee unequivocally condemns the transfer of a teacher of the University to the Murshidabad Centre as OSD unilaterally, as being against the basic norms of institutional functioning and against the stated principle of not utilizing any existing University resources for the Centers. The Executive Committee would like to emphasise that a teacher cannot be transferred under any provision of the University, neither do we have a provision under which an OSD can be appointed therefore under University rules no salary can be paid. This order is illegal in the sense that there cannot be a competent authority for the transfer of a teacher. Moreover, it also explicates that the Government has not sanctioned any posts for the centers; otherwise instead of transfer some other method would have been used.

A question arises on the nearly two and a half months gap between Feb. 9, 2012, the so called date of the order and its circulation on April 23, 2012, normally if an order is delayed, it is sent back to the officer making the order to ensure that it is still needed. This order was presumably made by the VC and there is no VC now.

Apart from the above the Supreme Court of India has mandated that only directives of the Executive Council are to be implemented by the Registrar, whereas this order has not been directed by the Executive Council.

The Executive Committee also expresses its surprise that although the Supreme Court of India has mandated the right of the Executive Council to run the University, it appears our esteemed members of the Council, instead of restraining the Registrar and thereby ensuring that the University is run according to rules, are enthusiastically willing to cede their powers to him and other functionaries. In fact, the Hon’ble members have provided an extension to the Registrar beyond his retirement date and beyond the terms of his service, despite earlier opposing him, till the new Vice Chancellor is appointed, as if the VC will actually be appointed to act as the Registrar.

We request the incoming Vice Chancellor to ensure the winding up and closure of the Centers that shall help to restore normalcy on the campus.

We therefore demand that the order be withdrawn forthwith otherwise we shall be compelled to very reluctantly resort to further action.

S. Mustafa Zaidi
Hony. Secretary
Teaching Staff Club, AMU, Aligarh, 202002
(O);             0571-2720011      (R);            09411802364      (M)
Email: secretaryamuta@gmail.com