DUTA members meet HRD minister over UGC circular on faculty reservation mechanism for varsities

A delegation of the Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) today met HRD minister Prakash Javadekar over the issue of an UGC circular on faculty reservation mechanism for universities, the teacher's body said in a statement today.

DUTA members also met Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP leader Atishi Marlena to apprise them about the issue.

Following an Allahabad High Court order, upheld by the Supreme Court, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had on March 5 announced a new mechanism for implementing faculty reservations, which is calculating total posts department-wise rather than institution-wise.

The UGC had said that its new reservation formula was in response to a direction of the Allahabad High Court in April last year.

It is believed that the move would cut the number of posts available for SC and ST candidates.

DUTA had organised a 'Kali Patti Rally' to mobilise political support on the roster issue. The rally culminated in the meeting with Javadekar, the teachers' body said.

Javadekar told the delegation that the government has filed a special leave petition to undo the move and is prepared to defend constitutional rights, but no formal notification can be issued before the Supreme Court hearing on July 2, DUTA said in a statement.

DUTA president Rajib Ray also shared with the minister data on the recently advertised posts by several central universities, which showed that reserved posts had drastically reduced as a result of the UGC notification.

"The minister said that he was unaware of it and would look into the matter," the teachers' body said.

It also said that the minister assured them that the UGC will consider granting autonomous status to colleges only if they apply for it.

The DUTA is also holding several meetings with representatives of various political parties to create awareness about the ramifications of the reservation roster issue and other matters.

"DUTA plans to hold a press conference on the roster issue, with prominent MPs from major political parties on June 11," it said.

They also met Sisodia to invite him for the June 11 press conference.