Sir — This refers to the report, “Diwali gift! 7th pay scale for professors” (October 12). The Union Cabinet’s nod for a pay hike to teachers in higher educational institutions was expected. This will benefit 7.58 lakh teachers in 106 University Grants Commission-funded institutions, 329 State Government-funded universities and 12,912 private aided colleges. However, a salary hike alone is not going to
develop the higher education in the country. Teachers must have academic freedom and the liberty to pursue teaching. Government interference must stop and political diktats ought not to have a place in educational institutions.
Wealthy NRIs and resident Indians may be appointed as patrons in Government educational institutions for development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to develop India’s higher education to the world standards. Everyone in the
country should co-operate with the Union Government to achieve world class higher education in India.