Hundreds of lecturers serving in non-government aided colleges across Odisha have issued a stern warning to the state government. They plan to launch a protest dharna and potentially boycott the upcoming Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) examination and evaluation work. This drastic step comes as their long-standing demand for pay parity with government college faculty remains unaddressed.
Deadline Passes, Government Silent
The lecturers, recruited through the State Selection Board (SSB), had submitted a formal memorandum outlining their grievances to the Chief Minister's grievance cell last month. They specifically sought the intervention of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and set a deadline of December 31, 2025, for a resolution. With no positive response or communication from the authorities, the educators feel compelled to escalate their agitation.
Their core demand revolves around the rectification of what they term a "longstanding disparity" in pay, service conditions, and professional recognition. They argue that despite performing identical duties, they are not treated on par with their counterparts in government colleges.
The Heart of the Dispute: Pay Scale and Status
Under the banner of the Odisha State Selection Board Lecturers' Association, the group has highlighted a critical financial injustice. Currently, the state government pays them according to the Post Graduate Teacher (PGT) scale, which corresponds to Level 10 with a grade pay of Rs 4,600.
However, they demand to be recognized as state government employees and redesignated as Assistant Professors (Stage-1) as per the University Grants Commission (UGC) Regulations. This designation would entitle them to the UGC assistant professor scale, which, while also at Level 10, carries a significantly higher academic grade pay of Rs 6,000.
Gaurav Sharma, the General Secretary of the association, emphasized the inconsistency. "Our nature of work is the same as assistant professors at government colleges," he stated, questioning the logic behind the differential pay structure for equivalent roles and responsibilities.
Impending Disruption and Call for Action
The lecturers' decision to threaten a dharna and a boycott of CHSE exam duties marks a significant escalation. The CHSE examinations are a crucial academic milestone for thousands of students in the state. Any disruption in the evaluation process could have serious consequences for the timely declaration of results.
This move underscores the depth of frustration among the teaching faculty. They feel their professional contributions are undervalued due to an outdated and inequitable pay system. The ball is now in the state government's court to engage in dialogue and address these demands to prevent potential academic disruption and uphold fairness in the higher education department.
