Sudhanshu Sharma
Shimla
The Himachal Pradesh University Teachers’ Welfare Association (HPUTWA) has strongly opposed the recent meeting of the university’s Executive Council, alleging that it has turned into a platform for political decisions rather than safeguarding the interests of teachers and the institution.
HPUTWA President Dr. Nitin Vyas said that thousands of teachers working in universities and colleges across the state have been struggling for the past seven years to secure their statutory right to promotion under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). “It is extremely unfortunate that despite such a long delay, neither the government nor the university administration has taken any concrete or positive steps on this crucial issue,” he remarked.
Dr. Vyas emphasized that CAS is not merely a promotion scheme but a vital mechanism for academic growth, research advancement, and maintaining institutional quality. Failure to implement it effectively, he warned, is demoralizing teachers and adversely affecting the standard of higher education. He further noted that Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country where teachers are being systematically deprived of their statutory rights, leading to growing dissatisfaction and discouraging talented youth from joining the teaching profession.
HPUTWA General Secretary Dr. Ankush Bhardwaj criticized the state government’s recent decision to deduct 3 percent from the monthly salaries of employees in categories A and B, calling it “anti-employee and dictatorial.” He said, “On one hand, the government is withholding legitimate financial entitlements of teachers and employees, and on the other, it is cutting their salaries. This is unjustifiable.” He accused the government of burdening employees to cover its rising revenue deficit, a move he described as condemnable, especially in times of inflation when ordinary employees are already struggling to support their families.
The association also pointed out the double standards in governance, where political leaders and senior bureaucrats continue to enjoy various perks and subsidies, while ordinary employees and teachers face neglect. According to HPUTWA, this discriminatory policy is not only unjust but also against democratic values.
Raising serious concerns about the role of the Executive Council, HPUTWA alleged that the body, which is supposed to be the highest decision-making authority of the university, has deviated from its core purpose and turned into a political hub. Decisions taken there, they claimed, neither serve the interests of teachers nor contribute to the overall development of the university. Dr. Vyas urged the council to uphold academic dignity, transparency, and impartiality in its decisions, warning that continued political interference would have long-term repercussions on the university’s reputation and academic environment.
HPUTWA issued a clear warning that if the pending CAS demands are not addressed promptly and anti-employee decisions are not rolled back, the association will be compelled to launch a statewide movement. Teachers from all universities and colleges in Himachal Pradesh will actively participate in this struggle.
The association demanded that:
- Pending promotions under CAS be restored immediately.
- The 3 percent salary deduction for A and B category employees be withdrawn.
- Pending financial benefits such as DA and other allowances be released without delay.
- The autonomy of the university’s Executive Council be ensured by freeing it from political interference.
Concluding the statement, Dr. Vyas reaffirmed HPUTWA’s commitment to protecting teachers’ rights and the dignity of the university, calling upon all educators in the state to unite in this struggle.
