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

AMUTA condoles death of student, condemns extension to corruption tainted Registrar V K Jaleel, and condemns detention of senior journalist M A Kazmi

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

Unanimous resolutions passed by the Executive Committee of the Aligarh Muslim University Teachers’ Association (AMUTA) at its meeting held on April 17, 2012 at 9:00 PM

1.  The Executive Committee condemns the extension given in the term of appointment of the Registrar by the AMU Executive Council meeting held on April 15, 2012. The Executive Committee fails to understand how the Hon’ble Members of the Executive Council could take this decision ignoring the fact that the present Registrar has been implicated and was involved in many illegal actions during the corruption tainted tenure of Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis. Many of his activities have been found to be violative of the Acts, Statutes and Ordinances and there are many allegations of administrative and financial improprieties against him personally. He is alleged to have lived in the P.V.C’s residence without paying any rent and electricity charges, he has also visited his home-town on private business without taking leave. To give an extension to such a person is, to say the least, outrageous and illogical. We would also like to point out that after the Supreme Court orders the Registrar and the Finance Officer are taking unilateral decisions bypassing the Executive Council, that they are not authorized to do. For example, joining time for a fresh appointment was extended by the Registrar in a blatant exercise of non-existent power. 

The Executive Committee therefore appeals to the Hon’ble members of the AMU Executive Council to review the decision regarding extension in the meeting scheduled to be held on April 20, 2012 and to ensure the recovery of all dues forthwith and in any case before April 22, 2012.

2.   The members of the Executive Committee extend their heartfelt condolences to the family members of  Mr. Jafri, a student of B.Tech. I year, who is suspected to have been murdered in mysterious circumstances. The loss of a young life is always tragic and it is imperative to ensure that such an incident does not happen again. We request the District Administration to conduct a time bound enquiry into the unfortunate incident to find out the guilty. We would however draw the attention of the University functionaries to the fact that this is the effect of denying hostel accommodation to students, who then have to risk their lives by living in insecure environments. We emphasize that the maximum number of students should be accommodated in the hostels, by reviewing the current allotment policy and, by prioritizing hostel accommodation for girls and new admissions.

3.   The Executive Committee unequivocally condemns the continued arrest and detention of eminent senior journalist Mr. Mohammad Ahmad Kazmi by the Delhi police. We would like to point out that the Government and its agencies are obfuscating the issue, ignoring the evidence as well as opinion of other equally eminent journalists, lawyers and academics regarding the innocence of Mr. Kazmi. The Executive Committee would also like to point out that till date no charge-sheet has been filed against Mr. Kazmi but, inspired stories have been planted in sections of the press questioning his secular credentials and the funds in his family account. We condemn such motivated reports and demand that he should be released immediately.

S. Mustafa Zaidi

Hony. Secretary

Teaching Staff Club, AMU, Aligarh, 202002

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

Email: secretaryamuta@gmail.com

AMUTA Condemns Exam Related Indiscipline and Violation of House Allotment Rules

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

April 16, 2012

Unanimous resolutions passed by the Executive Committee of the Aligarh Muslim University Teachers’ Association (AMUTA) at its meeting held on April 13, 2012 at 8:00 PM

1.  The Executive Committee condemns the bypassing and violation of House Allotment rules by the Property Office and the Finance Officer recently. The committee is concerned that the rules framed by the AMU Executive Council have been totally ignored and the practice followed for decades has been arbitrarily changed to suit personal interests. The committee wants it to be noted that this is a glaring example of the high handed attitude and willful behaviour of the University functionaries’ in the absence of a regular Vice-Chancellor. The Executive Committee endorses the letter of the Hony. Secretary, AMUTA addressed to the Vice-Chancellor and demands that action should be initiated to fix responsibility and take action as requested therein.

      The Executive Committee, further, appeals to all members of the Association to keep in mind that generally rules are meant to ensure the greatest good of the greatest number but, if we condone violation of rules, to benefit an individual or a group then we can forget any hope of improvement in the University affairs, that is already reeling from large scale violation of rules in the recent past.

 2.  The Executive Committee notes with alarm and condemns the increasing acts of examination related indiscipline at the examination centers. We would appeal to our students to maintain decorum and preserve the sanctity of the examination process. We expect that the students would remain disciplined so that the examinations proceed normally. We trust and hope that the teachers shall not be compelled to keep away from the examination process as a last ditch effort to safeguard its inviolability.

(S. Mustafa Zaidi)

PRESS RELEASE: AMUTA Condemns Central Govt

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

April 1, 2012

 PRESS RELEASE

            The Aligarh Muslim University Teachers’ Association (AMUTA) in a well attended and stormy meeting condemned the Central Government for its acts of omission and commission that have led to the situation the University finds itself in.

            The members displayed a near unanimity in the implications of the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India and its adverse effect on the working of the University.

            The meeting of the General Body of AMUTA was called to discuss the aftermath of the March 29, 2012 judgment of the Supreme Court in the appeal filed on behalf of the University by the Registrar against the judgment of the Hon’ble High Court of Judicature at Allahabad on a writ filed by Prof. Qazi Afzal Husain about his appointment as Vice-Chancellor, AMU.

            The Supreme Court has ordered that AMU shall function without a Vice-Chancellor till the President of India appoints a Vice-Chancellor. In the meantime the day to day functioning of the University shall be carried out by the Executive Council of the University (a 19 member body) and implemented by the Registrar.

            After initial briefing by the Hony. Secretary, speaker after speaker emphasized that the judgment is unworkable and shall stall the working of the University. A former President of the University condemned the MHRD and suggested that we should stop working till the Government goes in for a review. Another former President stated that the judgment is bad in law as it is against the AMU Act that has been passed by Parliament. He said that the Supreme Court doesn’t have the power to strike down a Parliamentary law unless it is against the basic structure of the Constitution. He asserted that he is saying this not in his personal capacity but as a senior Professor of Law.

            Some members also pointed out that giving the role of implementing the decisions of the Executive Council to the Registrar is fraught with danger as he has not exactly covered himself with glory if we look at his past. He has been closely associated with the corruption tainted regime of Prof. Azis where even his actions are being probed by the CBI on the orders of the President of India. One member pointed out that how could he file a SLP as Registrar against his own Vice-Chancellor without his permission, another suggested that for this act alone after an enquiry action should be taken against him and he should be suspended. Some members named a previous incumbent of the office of the Vice-Chancellor as responsible for the mess, they wanted him to be named in the resolution. On being refused they have submitted a dissent note on this. The General Body however concluded by appealing for a review/clarification of the judgment to be sought by the Visitor, MHRD and Executive Council of AMU.

(S. Mustafa Zaidi)

Resolution passed by the General Body of Aligarh Muslim University Teachers’ Association (AMUTA) in its emergent meeting held on March 31, 2012 at 7:00 P.M.

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

April 01 , 2012

Resolution passed by the General Body of Aligarh Muslim University Teachers’ Association (AMUTA) in its emergent meeting held on March 31, 2012 at 7:00 P.M.

This meeting of the General Body of AMUTA after a thorough discussion on the implications of judgment dated March 29, 2012 delivered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India regarding the appointment of Vice-Chancellor of AMU, places on record its deep sense of hurt and concern over the possible chaotic situation in the next few days.

The General Body is of the view that the Government has failed AMU and that it is squarely to blame for the state of inaction, confusion and chaos the University has fallen into. It is of opinion that the Hon’ble Supreme Court was not adequately and properly briefed about the provisions of the AMU Act by the legal luminaries appearing before it. This has resulted in a judgment that has grave implications for the day to day functioning of the University. The judgment has implicitly suspended many provisions of the AMU Act, Statutes and Ordinances; whereas the matter before the Hon’ble Court was only of who can be Vice-Chancellor based on the various interpretations of the provisions and was not concerned with the legality or otherwise of any provisions of the Act..

The judgment charges the Executive Council to carryout the functioning of the University and the Registrar to implement it, till such time that a Vice-Chancellor is appointed by the Visitor. We would most respectfully point out that the Executive Council is at present a nineteen member body of which the Registrar is not a part. Some of these nineteen members are based in cities far away from Aligarh, so how would the Executive Council carry out its functions on a daily basis? The Vice-Chancellor as an office is central to the functioning of the AMU; e.g. all examiners are appointed by him, all examination results, admissions, degrees, conference travel grants, monetary authorizations require either a direct signature or his consent. How can the University function like this?

The General Body would also like it to be noted that the present incumbent of the office of the Registrar is not a figure that inspires confidence in his working. This is besides the fact that he is facing a CBI enquiry ordered by the Hon’ble President of India against the corruption tainted regime of Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis. He is alleged to be involved in many irregularities including backdating the signing of the SLP on behalf of the University against the then Vice Chancellor, the General Body demands that this also needs to be enquired into and the available documentary evidence should be perused. Moreover, nowhere in the Act or Statutes does the Registrar have the power to call a meeting of the Executive Council, therefore, calling a meeting of the Executive Council on April 2, 2012 at Delhi, is both illegal and a waste of money. Many statutory provisions have and are being violated by the Registrar by this act. We, therefore, appeal to the members of the Executive Council that even if they attend this meeting in view of the extraordinary situation, they should take care and ensure that no authorization of any kind is given to any functionary, as that would be against the explicit orders of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and may be constructed as its contempt.

The General Body would like to categorically assert that this is a constitutional crisis of unimaginable consequences and therefore, appeals to the Hon’ble President of India in her capacity as the Visitor of AMU, the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Executive Council of the University to seek an immediate clarification/review of the judgment, to save the University from coming to a standstill and, thus adversely affecting the career of thousands of students appearing in the examinations and, of those seeking admission here, an objective that the Supreme Court has also mentioned in para 9 & 11 of its judgment.

Note:  Some members while agreeing with the above have expressed a desire to condemn explicitly by name a teacher. This wasn’t accepted as AMUTA has never done so in the past. They have dissented on this basis.