Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Aug 9: 411 guest lecturers, who have been serving various first grade government colleges since the last several years, and who have suddenly lost their means of livelihood after the government modified yardstick for appointment, are preparing to approach the state high court for relief.

The department of collegiate education, who recently entered into a ten-month agreement with people who have worked as guest lecturers in over five years in these colleges, has suddenly dropped them after they took classes for 45 days.

The government had earlier appointed guest lecturers by allotting them 40 percent marks for marks obtained in postgraduate degrees, three marks per year of service as guest lecturer, and 30 percent marks for completing national eligibility test/ state eligibility test/ PhD.

After appointing over ten thousand guest lecturers, the department suddenly changed the eligibility norm by offering employment only to those who have completed less than five years as guest lecturers. This has driven senior guest lecturers to streets. President of Udupi District Government First Grade College Lecturers Association, Ranjith Kumar Shetty, said that the lecturers have been left with no other option but to hold protest and approach the court as the government suddenly changed its norms to target senior lectuers and people fighting for their rights.  Several lecturers said they have families to look after, and loss of job has devastated the families that are entirely dependent on their income.

The guest lecturers will hold protest near the office of the deputy commissioner here on Wednesday, followed by a state-wide protest at Bengaluru on Thursday. They also will approach high court for justice.  The protesters have also been demanding hike in monthly pay from the current emoluments which stand at Rs 9,500 for postgraduate degree holders and Rs 11,500 for those who have completed PhD.