Since the last two weeks, the Library staff at Kamala Nehru College has gone on strike, following other such incidents with non-teaching faculty across Delhi University. This protest however, revolves around the lack of institutionalization of the MACP scheme and the withholding of pay upgradation amongst library staff members.
The University and College Library Employees Association began protesting two weeks ago, inside Kamala Nehru college, regarding the supposed unfulfillment of certain employee benefits of their late colleague, Sushil Kumar, who was given the post of Library attendant at Kamala Nehru in December, 1997. Then, under the institution of the Modified Assured Career Progression Scheme or MACP scheme which came into force in 2007 and assured career progression and consequent financial upgrade, Kumar’s colleagues claim that he was entitled to promotion and a pay upgrade, considering he had completed 10 years of service. However, in 2011, Kumar was promoted to the post of Library Assistant, but once again, his colleague claimed that he was once again denied timely financial benefits attached to the promotion.
Reportedly, in 2008, Sushil Kumar gave the college administration a presentation for his promotion to the position of Semi Professional Assistant or SPA, but apparently, he was not given the raise, after which he took this issue into the Delhi High Court. It is then claimed that the college, hurriedly, organized DPC(Department Personnel Committee) elections, in order to award him the post of JLIA or library assistant. It is alleged that, however, once being awarded this promotion, Kumar was not given a specific date of joining nor did he receive pay fixation, between the period of 2011 to 2023.
The members of the association claim that the administration is simply evading responsibility, by suggesting that Kumar himself did not take the role, which he was promoted to. Sushil Kumar also belongs to the SC/ST community. One of the people spearheading the protest, Sanjay, gave a statement saying, “ Agar karamchaari dukhi rahega toh phir students ko best services kaise de sakta hai?” (How’re we, as workers, supposed to provide services to students if we ourselves are unhappy?)
The issue of delayed payments, lack of promotions, upgradation and tenure seems to run deep, particularly across non-faculty staff in Delhi University, with even examination departments going on strike last month, at Kamala Nehru College. The workers believe that the alleged obstacles they face in their employment makes it harder for them to facilitate services for students.
Kamala Nehru College’s administration has been emailed regarding the protests, in order to represent their side, however, we have not received a response yet.
Image Credits – DU Beat
Chaharika Uppal