SRINAGAR — Nearly 2,000 contractual lecturers working in 65 subjects across Government Degree Colleges of Jammu and Kashmir have sought the intervention of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Minister for Higher Education, demanding an increase in their monthly remuneration from Rs 28,000 to Rs 38,000 and redesignation of their posts as Contractual Assistant Professors.
The lecturers have argued that they are being paid substantially less than contractual faculty engaged in universities across Jammu and Kashmir, despite having similar minimum academic eligibility requirements and performing comparable teaching responsibilities.
Shabir Ahmad, a contractual lecturer at a Srinagar-based Government Degree College, said the existing remuneration structure had created an unjustified disparity between faculty members working in degree colleges and those engaged in universities.
"Why this disparity when the minimum eligibility criteria for engagement in both Government Degree Colleges and universities are the same? Candidates are required to possess a Master's degree in the relevant subject with at least 55 per cent marks (50 per cent for SC/ST and differently-abled candidates), along with NET/SET/SLET or a PhD qualification," he questioned.
He said the monthly remuneration of Rs 28,000 had become increasingly inadequate amid rising living costs, making it difficult for contractual lecturers to meet their household expenses.
"I am unable to support my family of seven members with this meagre salary. Despite possessing higher academic qualifications and discharging important academic responsibilities, we continue to face financial hardships. This is sheer injustice," he said.
Shazia Lone, a contractual lecturer in Chemistry at a Government Degree College, said the demand for enhanced remuneration was justified by the workload and responsibilities shouldered by contractual faculty.
She said she had been teaching in a Government Degree College for the past eight years and, besides delivering regular lectures, was required to conduct practical classes, take additional teaching assignments and discharge various academic and administrative responsibilities entrusted by the college authorities.
"Our workload and responsibilities need to be duly recognised," she said, reiterating the demand for remuneration at par with contractual faculty in universities.
The lecturers have urged the Chief Minister and the Higher Education Minister to intervene and address what they describe as unequal treatment within the higher education system.
Besides the proposed increase in monthly remuneration to Rs 38,000, they have demanded redesignation from Contractual Lecturers to Contractual Assistant Professors, following the pattern adopted by universities in Jammu and Kashmir.
They maintain that the proposed changes would bring greater parity in remuneration and designation while recognising their academic qualifications, teaching experience and responsibilities.
The article first appeared on The Kashmir Pulse at https://kashmirpulse.com/education/jk-contractual-lecturers-seek-pay-hike-to-%e2%82%b938000-redesignation-as-assistant-professors/117364.html
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