KPCTA Raises Objections Over Promotion Procedures and Recovery of Advance Increments
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Kozhikode:
The Kerala Private College Teachers’ Association (KPCTA) has raised serious concerns over recent administrative actions affecting college teachers, including the insistence on similarity index checks for promotions and recovery procedures related to MPhil and PhD advance increments.
KPCTA leaders, led by Prof. Dr. Chacko V. M., Senate Member of the University of Calicut, pointed out that the UGC Regulations, 2018, which govern promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS), do not mandate similarity index checks for promotion from Associate Professor to Professor. Referring to relevant provisions of the regulations and subsequent Government Orders and University orders adopting them, the association stated that there is no legal basis for introducing additional conditions such as similarity index verification at the time of promotion. KPCTA alleged that such directions have resulted in unnecessary delays in clearing promotion files in affiliated colleges.
Prof. Dr. Chacko V. M. has submitted petitions in this regard to the Director of Collegiate Education, the Deputy Director of Collegiate Education, Kozhikode, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calicut.
The association also expressed strong opposition to the recovery procedures initiated against teachers who had received advance increments for MPhil and PhD qualifications. According to KPCTA, existing Government Orders clearly specify that any excess amount, if at all, can only be adjusted against DA revision arrears or promotion arrears, and not through measures such as withholding salary or annual increments. KPCTA described the ongoing recovery attempts as illegal and beyond the authority of the concerned offices.
KPCTA leaders stated that these actions have caused significant hardship to college teachers across the state. The association informed that its State Committee has already initiated legal steps against the recovery proceedings and has requested the authorities to keep all such actions in abeyance until the matter is resolved.
As part of follow-up action, Dr. Rafeeque P., Regional Secretary, Prof. Jaison Joseph (President, Mutual Aid Trust), and Dr. Christy Alex (District Vice President) visited the Deputy Director of Collegiate Education and submitted a detailed representation regarding the issues.
Calling for immediate intervention, KPCTA demanded that pending promotion files be cleared without insisting on similarity index checks and that recovery proceedings against teachers be withdrawn. The association urged the authorities to act strictly in accordance with UGC Regulations and Government Orders in the interest of justice and the career advancement of college teachers.
The Deputy Director responded positively and assured urgent intervention from the department.
