HYDERABAD: While a committee constituted by the state government is studying whether to enhance the superannuation age of university professors, a look into the faculty position is pertinent. The 22 universities in the state have 3,600 serving teachers against the sanctioned strength of 6,351. Since 2006-07, as many as 868 faculty members have retired and 871 will retire in the next four years. That means, there will be 2,729 serving faculty members in 2016. While 2,751 vacancies exist, 1,490 temporary teachers have been appointed.
As one of the measures to meet the shortage, university professors are demanding enhancement of the superannuation age as per the Centre’s recommendation but the state government is not in favour of the demand. Following teachers’ protest, the government constituted a committee to look in to the issue and it will submit its report in the next few days.
Speaking to Express, Andhra Pradesh Federation of University Teachers Association chairman Batta Satyanarayana said they would intensify their agitation if the government did not raise the age of superannuation and release the pay arrears.
If the state government decides against raising the superannuation age, it will have to pay total arrears. According to a GO released by the Centre in 2010, it will release only 80 per cent of the arrears to the state if the state government agrees to enhance the superannuation age. The total arrears amount to Rs 1,096 crore, of which the Centre will have to pay Rs 877 core (80 per cent). If the superannuation age is not raised, it will have to pay 100 per cent of arrears to professors.