The Chandigarh Aided Colleges Teachers' Association (CACTA) has formally approached the Union Ministry of Education with a significant demand. The association is pressing for the immediate implementation of the UGC Regulations 2018 and a revision in the retirement age for educators from the current 60 years to 65 years.
Core Demands and Central Funding Argument
In its detailed representation, a copy of which was also marked to the Union Home Minister, CACTA presented a central argument. The body highlighted that aided colleges in Chandigarh receive a substantial 95% grant-in-aid from the Central Government, channeled through the Chandigarh Administration. Therefore, the association contends that these institutions should logically follow the norms and regulations applicable to other centrally funded higher education institutions, not state-specific rules.
Existing Disparity with Panjab University
CACTA pointed out a glaring inconsistency in the current system. It noted that Panjab University has already adopted the UGC Regulations 2018 for colleges under its purview. This implementation has allowed for faculty promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). However, teachers in Chandigarh's aided colleges are still governed by older guidelines, creating unequal service conditions and retirement norms between similar institutions.
The association specifically challenged the relevance of seeking Punjab government consent on retirement policies for Chandigarh colleges. It clarified that these colleges do not fall under the administrative framework of Punjab, making such references invalid for the Union Territory.
Seeking Clarity and Resolution
The primary request to the Education Ministry is to issue a formal notification that fully implements the UGC 2018 regulations in Chandigarh's aided colleges and officially revises the superannuation age to 65. CACTA has expressed that the prolonged delay in addressing this issue has sown uncertainty and concern among the teaching faculty. The association has appealed for early intervention from the ministry to resolve the matter promptly and provide much-needed clarity.
