Udupi, Jan 6: The guest lecturers of government degree colleges wore face masks resembling higher education minister Dr Ashwath Narayan and protested near the war memorial at Ajjarkad in the city on Thursday demanding merger of their services and regularization of their employment.

The district unit of the state welfare committee of guest lecturers and federation of organizations of guest lecturers of degree colleges of the district jointly staged the protest.

 

The protesters also opposed the policy of the union government that they ridiculed, "sells tea."

Addressing the protesters guest lecturer Shahida said, “The service of the guest lecturers in government first grade colleges under Rule 14 and K S 1977 General Recruitment Rule 12 should be merged and the illegal recruitment of assistant lecturers of 2021 should be withheld. Though we have completed our post-graduation and are eligible, we are not getting any facility from the government. We are not getting paid though we are educated. How can we teach students when we are facing such hardships?”

Manikanta Devadiga, another guest lecturer said, “So far the government has not budged to our protests. They have not honored our demands. If we bring our issues to the notice of local MLA or ministers they speak arrogantly. For the past 27 days, classes are not being conducted properly due to the absence of the guest lecturers. In Udupi there are 546 guest lecturers. Though there is a rule that at least 10 months salary in a year should be given, only eight months' salary is being paid to us. It becomes difficult for us to lead a life. The government should resolve this issue as soon as possible and give us a minimum salary.”