Punjab Teachers Demand Action on Pending UGC 7th Pay Scale Fixations

Teachers in Punjab allege that the state government has failed to fulfill its promises, with delays in clearing pending cases causing widespread resentment among educators. Despite the Department of Higher Education’s announcement on September 29, 2022, to implement the University Grants Commission (UGC) 7th pay scale from October 1, 2022, teachers at aided colleges have yet to receive their revised salaries.

Varun Goel, executive member of the Central Committee of Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU), stated that most college managements have submitted teachers’ cases for pay scale fixation to the Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) Colleges, Punjab. However, these cases remain pending without clear reasons for the delay. Goel has filed multiple RTI requests seeking details on the status of these cases but received no response.

PU senator Jagwant Singh highlighted that some managing committees are reluctant to forward the cases due to additional financial burdens. He emphasized that the government should have enforced the revised UGC pay scale claims after March 2023.

PCCTU district president Chamkaur Singh criticized the sluggish pace at the departmental level, insisting that the 2022 official statement should have led to implementation by the following year.

Ashwani Bhalla, Deputy Director of Higher Education, Punjab, explained that only two Deputy Controllers of Finance and Accounts (DCFA) handle these cases, clearing 4-5 daily. He assured that the process continues and remaining cases will be resolved soon. Director of Higher Education, Amrit Singh, did not respond to repeated inquiries.

Teachers demand swift action to address their pay scale fixations, urging the government to uphold its commitments and expedite the approval process.