Srinagar, Mar 30: Kashmir University Teachers Association (KUTA) on Friday threatened to launch an agitation if the State Government failed to implement sixth pay commission arrears and UGC guidelines.
 Addressing a press conference, President KUTA Dr Ghulam Mohi-ud-in Sangmi said all the arrears from January 2006 to June 2009 should be released immediately.
 “For past many years we have taken up the issue of release of arrears with the concerned authorities but they have been resorting to delaying tactics,” Sangmi said.
 He claimed that as per the UGC guidelines, the Central Government must bear 80 percent cost of sixth pay commission arrears and State Government has to share rest of the amount.
 To press for implementation of its demands, KUTA has decided to stage hour-long peaceful protest on Saturday followed by pen-down strike on Monday.
 KUTA also accused the State Government and KU administration of adopting double standards. “When the provisions as laid in the UGC guidelines are implemented fully, why are the authorities reluctant to provide us incentives and enhance retirement age. We are not paid at par with our counterparts in other universities,” Sangmi said.
 Blaming the Government for pushing them to wall, the Sangmi said KUTA is forced to resort to other democratic mean of protest. “However, we avoided it in the interest of student community and the society at large. As authorities have failed to resolve our demands, we are left with no option but to join our counterparts in Jammu University who are also on agitation for past one week.”
 “Chief Minister had also assured that our demands will be fulfilled by this month. Unfortunately he also failed to keep his promise. We are being sandwiched between KU administration, State Government and Central Government,” he said.
 Threatening to intensify the agitation, the KUTA president said future course of action will be announced on April 2.
 “The decision regarding it will be taken in KUTA’s general body and apex body,” he said.
 The KUTA President was flanked by vice-president, Sheikh Showkat Hussain, and College Teachers Association (CTA) president, Tariq Ashai besides other members of the association.
 Meanwhile, the CTA Kashmir has supported KUTA’s programme..

Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 31 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST