Cease-work at Jadavpur University

The members of All Bengal University Teachers’ Association (ABUTA) started cease-work at Jadavpur University protesting state government’s decision to not extend the tenure of university professors. Recently state education minister Partha Chatterjee asked for the data of vacant posts in universities of Bengal. 

When the state government showed no intention to extend the service tenure of the university professors after 60 years of the age of retirement, the professors decided to continue the cease-work in different universities. They said that the cease-work in Jadavpur University was just the beginning. They will conduct the same in every university if state does not reconsider its decision.

The state government, however, is looking to appoint fresh recruitments in the universities. Recently thousands of jobs were created in primary and upper primary and secondary and Higher Secondary level of school education. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is giving extra effort to produce employments for the educated youth of the state. “We’ve heard about the cease-work at Jadavpur University. We’ve also informed it to the office of Education minister,” said an Education department source. However, the source also added that there is a little scope to reconsider the extension from state’s earlier decision.

ABUTA, however, alleged that the state government is not abiding by University Grant Commission’s (UGC) guideline. “The UGC guidelines clearly stated that the age of retirement of university professor has been extended to 65 years. The education system will be hampered here,” an ABUTA member alleged.

However, Jadavpur University Teachers Association (JUTA), on Tuesday, met the Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University, Suranjan Das and demanded for an immediate executive council and court meeting. JUTA held an extended executive committee meeting on Tuesday and decided to observe one day cease work by teachers on several demands.