Some JNUTA members spreading misinformation against civil service rules: JNU

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) administration on Wednesday accused some JNUTA members of spreading misinformation against the Academic Council's approval of the ordinance related to application of CCS rules on service matters in the varsity.

The JNU Teachers' Association (JNUTA) had said placing teachers under the Conduct of Central Services Rules (CCS), would mean the "very role that academics are supposed to play in the classroom and in civil society has become criminalised".

The teachers' body had alleged that the current administration has decided to impose the rules, which restrict them from expressing dissent.

The approval of the ordinance by the Academic Council on October 5 is in conformity with the earlier resolution of the Executive Council of JNU and a UGC letter dated May 1 this year, the university said.

"The Executive Council of JNU had passed a resolution way back on November 14, 2011, according to which 'the University may follow and adopt the government of India/regulations/instructions in all service matters of teaching and non-teaching staff including inquiry, conduct and disciplinary rules, wherever the university statutes are silent'," it said.

On May 1, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had communicated to the Registrar of JNU that until the university frames its rules on service matters, 'the University should follow the Govt of India rules/orders as applicable to Central Government civilian employees', it added.

JNU is a public-funded university and it is important that in all administrative, financial, establishment and service matters, the university follows the government of India and UGC rules and formulates its ordinances and regulations accordingly, the varsity said.

"However, what is extremely disappointing is that a small section of JNUTA, including its office-bearers, are deliberately campaigning against the UGC regulations and the resolutions passed by the statutory bodies of the University," it said.