Sudhanshu Sharma
Nurpur
Teachers from all four state universities in Himachal Pradesh have united under the Joint Action Committee (JAC) to demand immediate restoration of Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) promotions, warning of a statewide protest if the issue remains unresolved. The online meeting held on March 9, 2026, marked a turning point in the long-standing struggle for academic justice.
Key Highlights from the JAC Meeting
- Date of Meeting: March 9, 2026
- Platform: Online
- Organized by: Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Himachal’s four state universities
- Chairperson: Prof. Janardan
- General Secretary: Prof. Nitin Vyas
- Participating Universities:
- Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla
- Sardar Patel University, Mandi
- CSK Agriculture University, Palampur
- Dr. Y.S. Parmar Veterinary & Animal Sciences University
Core Issue: CAS Promotions Blocked
- CAS (Career Advancement Scheme) is a UGC-recommended system for time-bound academic promotions based on teaching, research, and service.
- State Government Restrictions have effectively stalled CAS promotions since 2016 in many universities.
- Hundreds of eligible teachers remain deprived of rightful promotions despite fulfilling all criteria.
JAC’s Unified Stand
- Unanimous Resolution: Strengthen JAC and launch a statewide democratic protest.
- Planned Actions:
- Peaceful demonstrations
- Coordinated sit-ins and meetings across campuses
- Potential academic boycott if demands are ignored
Teachers’ Concerns
- Discrimination Alleged: While ministers, MLAs, and IAS officers receive timely promotions and benefits, university teachers face years of delay.
- Morale Impact: Long wait times have led to frustration and lowered motivation among faculty.
- Academic Harm: Blocking CAS affects research output, innovation, and teaching quality.
JAC’s Appeal to the Government
- Urgent Dialogue Requested: Teachers urge the government to initiate talks immediately.
- Demands:
- Lift all restrictions on CAS promotions
- Grant promotions with full arrears and benefits to eligible teachers since 2016
- End discriminatory treatment of university faculty
If the government fails to respond, JAC warns of escalating the movement with wider protests and academic non-cooperation. However, they emphasize that such steps would be a last resort, as teachers remain committed to students and institutional integrity.
