CHENNAI: THE Anna University Teachers' Association (AUTA) has decided to go on a hunger strike within the campus, without affecting classes, on Tuesday to press for the immediate implementation of Career Advancement Scheme (CAS), among other things.
"We had a dialogue with the administration and have decided to go ahead with the strike since their response was unsatisfactory," said I.Arul Aram, President of AUTA, speaking to Express.
The association, representing teachers of all four institutions that come under the university, is fighting primarily for implementation of CAS, a time-bound promotion scheme, that has not been implemented since 2010, a AUTA release said.
Some members of the association have not received their first promotion even after 13 years of regular service, the release added.
The charter of seven demands included filling up the Vice Chancellor post without further delay, a grievance cell, appointment of Heads/Directors based on seniority and on a rotational basis and an enabling environment for working. "The VC post has been vacant since May. We want a qualified individual to fill in the post as soon as possible," said Arul.
According to him, teachers are required to achieve a certain Academic Performance Indicator (API) for which they would need to attend conferences and work on projects. "Sometimes the Heads don't allow us to go for these conferences nor do they provide us with facilities to work on our projects. How can we equip and qualify ourselves?" he asked.
The association has also pushed for two elected representatives from the faculty in the Syndicate.