Turning down the demand of PhD degree holders for relaxation in National Eligibility Test (NET) qualification for the recruitment of Assistant Professors in college cadre, the State Government has made it amply clear that NET/SlET shall remain the minimum eligibility condition for the posts.
While interacting with mediapersons in Jhajjar, Haryana Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal said, “No appointment shall be made on the basis of PhD while those doctorate degree holders will be able to get relaxation of 5 per cent from 55 to 50 per cent of marks who have passed their Master’s Degree prior to September 19, 1991.” Citing the meeting of State Cabinet, Bhukkal said decision to this effect was taken after a detail discussion over the issue at the meeting because legitimacy of Ph.D degrees of some universities was already under the scanner.
Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) has recently invited applications for 1,396 posts of Assistant Professors (College Cadre) in 30 different subjects. Except for four subjects, including Computer Science, Fine Arts, Mass Communication and Music (Instrumental and Vocal), the selection commission authorities have fixed the NET/SlET as minimum eligibility conditions for the appointments taking a toll on the PhD degree holders who are now feeling cheated. Meanwhile, the PhD holders have knocked at the door of court against this notification arguing that when the University Grant Commission (UGC) considers them eligible for the posts then why the Government is trying to ruin their future by imposing such an ‘unjustified’ condition.
“In the given situation, we have no other option left but to take the issue to judiciary for getting justice. Acute resentment prevails among the PhD holders due to this tactics of the State Government” said Jitender Kumar, a research scholar, adding that the decision would further discourage the students to conduct the research.