Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and its teachers' organisation have written to Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram seeking exemption of the university's faculty from Census 2027 duties. The letters, sent last week, cite severe staff shortage, ongoing examinations, and legal objections to the appointments.
University's Request for Exemption
SPPU's acting registrar Prafulla Pawar and vice-chancellor Suresh Gosavi wrote to the City Census officer on April 11 and April 25 respectively, seeking exemption for 81 teachers appointed for enumeration duties. The letters highlight that the university is functioning with only 142 teachers against 384 sanctioned posts, amounting to nearly 63% vacancies. The existing faculty is burdened with National Education Policy implementation, NAAC, NIRF, teaching, examination, and research responsibilities.
Objections to Senior Professor Appointments
The teachers' organisation has objected to the appointment of senior professors as enumerators and supervisors, arguing that Group-A equivalent faculty should not be assigned subordinate-level census duties.
Impact on Academic Work
Pawar stated that the 142 teachers are already managing immense academic and administrative workload. "Currently, the examinations are going on and evaluation work will follow. If the results are delayed, students will suffer. The admission season is on and if that is delayed, the academic year will meander. Faculty members are overseeing numerous national and international research projects. If not completed on time, it could damage the university's reputation with sponsoring agencies and make it difficult to secure future grants," he said.
Legal Definition Issue
Pawar added that while local authorities are required to provide staff for election and census duties, the university does not fall under the legal definition of a "local authority" for this purpose. "We have provided our resources and our infrastructure to conduct training and other census work. All we are asking for is an exemption for our staff because it will impact students and disrupt the university's core academic and research functions," Pawar added.
PMC's Stance on Census Duty
Vijay Landge, PMC's deputy commissioner who also heads the City Census Department, said participating in the census is a national duty of prime importance and every government officer must devote time for it beyond their daily duties. He said, "While one month has been given to complete the census work, it can be wrapped up in 8 to 10 days. The staff can work after finishing the day's work, from 6pm to 9pm or on weekends when they have off days. But census work is binding on all."
He added that it is not just the university, but all government offices are short of staff because recruitments have not been regular. Even so, every department is participating in the work and so should the university.
