Mysuru: It is a bolt from the blue for the 22 temporary lecturers appointed in the five new departments of the University of Mysore (UoM), as the University has taken a decision to cut their salaries to less than half.

The decision was taken at the Syndicate Meeting held on Aug. 3 to reduce the salaries from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 22,500. According to a Syndicate Member, the decision was based on the proposal of the Government — uniform pay for uniform work.

The decision to appoint 22 lecturers to the five new departments — Molecular Biology, Organic Chemistry, Statistics, Public Administration, Statistics and University of School of Law — paying salary of Rs. 50,000 was taken during former Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa’s tenure.

He had justified the salary saying that it was necessary to pay good salaries to the faculty if high standards of the University had to be maintained. He had also said that some of the best academic achievers in the world were willing to come and teach in University of Mysore, if the emoluments matched their achievements.

However, the Syndicate decided to go by the rules of government, which also has said ‘no work, no pay.’ As a result, the temporary lecturers will be relieved of their post after 11 months and fresh letters of appointment given and even their salaries will be cut to match the UGC guidelines, which cannot be more than Rs. 25,000, said the Syndicate Member, speaking to Star of Mysore on condition of anonymity.

Will the lecturers who are now drawing a handsome salary keep quiet or will they fight for their cause is something we have to wait and watch, said a faculty from one of the departments.

Outreach courses

The University had also started its own Outreach courses. However, even this has come to a grinding halt as it is forced to comply with the UGC order that such courses should not be conducted outside its jurisdiction.  

Prof. K.S. Rangappa had argued recently at a press conference about this discriminatory attitude of the UGC when he had asked, “If a person can contest elections from any part of the country, then why not the same yardstick be allowed for as important a field as education. How can jurisdictional boundaries be imposed on Universities imparting distance education? When Indira Gandhi National Open University has spread its tentacles all over the country, why should Universities like Mysore and KSOU have restrictions?”

KSOU staff eviction

Another matter raised at the Syndicate meeting was regarding the occupation of some of the quarters in the University by employees of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU). The decision was taken to vacate such employees, as there was demand for quarters from the staff of the University of Mysore itself. There are also many temporary lecturers of the University who have been occupying the quarters though they are not eligible, said a Syndicate Member,.

Kukkarahalli Lake Fish Stall

The fish stall in Kukkarahalli Lake had been leased to the Fisheries Department for Rs. 6 lakh. There was an audit objection, as the matter was not brought before the Syndicate for approval and even a tender was not called for before leasing it out. The stall in turn had been sub-leased, said sources.

SDNR Wadiyar Stadium: Notice to KSCA

The University had entered into an agreement with Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) to develop and maintain the Gangothri Glades Cricket Stadium (later named SDNR Wadiyar Stadium) in Manasagangothri Campus.

According to the agreement, the KSCA had to pay Rs. 1 lakh for every match played. But it had not paid a single rupee till now. Hence, it was decided to issue a notice to KSCA in this regard.