The politically tried- and-tested formula of luring voters with promises and freebies seems to have taken centre stage in DUTA elections as well. Politically motivated faculty unions allege Delhi University VC has been using these tricks to influence the poll outcome.
With the implementation of the four-year undergraduate programme, Dinesh Singh, Vice Chancellor, Delhi University, has had to face some very vocal and visible opposition from factions of faculty and students who have now alleged that he is trying to influence the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) elections to make it an ‘administrative-friendly affair.’ The elections, which would take place from 10-5pm on August 29 at the Arts Faculty building, have become an occasion for mudslinging by both—administration and faculty.
The biggest bone of contention came to fore recently when free laptops and removal of Academic Performance Indicators (API) scores for recruitment were announced. In an open letter released on Friday—issued by Sudhish Pachauri, Dean of Colleges and Umesh Rai, Director, South Campus—the work of faculty members was also lauded. However, the faculty alleges foul-play to ensure victory of an administrative-friendly candidate as the DUTA president.
Considered one of the most important teacher union elections, DUTA will see four major parties contesting for the top spots. These include Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF), Academics for Action and Development (AAD), National Democratic Teachers’ Front (NDTF) and collaboration between the Indian National Teachers Congress (INTEC) and estranged members of AAD. While DTF has forwarded Dr Nandita Narain, HOD- Mathematics, St Stephen’s College as their presidential candidate, INTEC has put up Ashwini Shankar, Reader, Deshbandhu College, the NDTF has announced Kirori Mal’s Assistant Professor Pramod C Sharma’s name, and the AAD (original faction) has fielded Shiba C Panda from Satyawati College for the chair of DUTA President.
The fact that current DUTA executive posts are occupied largely by DTF has not gone well with the VC and other teachers’ organisations.
Shaswati Mazumdar, president, Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF), says, “We condemn the DU administration for putting to use the official machinery to influence the outcome of elections. In a brazen misuse of the official platform, the AAD-INTEC (Congress supported) presidential candidate was introduced and allowed to seek votes for himself.” She said the university officials have shamelessly promised laptops to teachers.
“Also ad-hoc teachers were called to discuss the foundation programme, but not permanent teachers who also teach the foundation course subjects. This is a way to exploit the ad-hoc teachers’ vulnerability,” she said.
Mazumdar said the VC has more than once called DUTA “an illegal welfare association.” “He has not met the DUTA president in two-years. This clearly shows his lack of interest in instilling a democratic forum in the university,” she said.
The biggest cause of discord has been the recruitment of ad-hoc teachers who form close to about 50 per cent of the faculty strength. University authorities in the open letter announced that API scores have been eliminated. “There scores are given to faculty for their academic achievements, for instance, 12 marks for graduating with 60 per cent, 16 for the same during post graduation, 10 marks for MPhil and PhD and seven for clearing NET. These also include attending national and international conferences and presentation of papers,” says Mazumdar.
According to the 2nd amendment of UGC Regulations (on minimum qualification for appointment of teachers and other academic staff in universities and colleges), released on June 4, 2013, “The overall selection procedure shall incorporate... merits and credentials of the applicants based on weightage given to the performance of the candidate...on a scoring system proforma, based on the Academic Performance Indicators (API)....” It goes on to specifically state “Provided that API scores will be used for screening purpose only and will have no bearing on expert assessment of candidates in Direct Recruitment/CAS .
While the administration said these scores would not be included “for any selection committee at any level of appointment/promotion of teachers…shall be purely on the basis of performance at the interview,” the faculty alleges a cover-up. In response to a protest for the appointment of 4,000 ad-hoc teachers, a varsity statement said it had decided to count their service as ad-hoc teachers at the screening for interview and for promotion at the first level.
Though faculty bodies are crying foul with allegations of biased recruitment, the university reiterated API scores will not be a part of the recruitment process.
DU Registrar, Alka Sharma, said, “There are no API scores in the selection committee. Yes, a screening committee has been formed to shortlist candidates. This committee has a rational selection criterion and will award marks to people based on their academic record, experience and so on. They will then be referred to the selection committee.”
Sharma says that such a process will result in genuine selection. “We do not want this process to be a sham. We are only doing what has been approved. Once selected, the top 800 candidates will be called for final selection,” she said.