The agitating teachers of the famed Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT), Pantnagar, have termed the resignation of the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Mangala Rai, as a pressure tactic to divert attention from the main issues.
The argument going round the university campus is that the VC should have directly sent his resignation to the Government instead of pasting it on to the notice boards of the university, if he was really serious about relinquishing the post.
The vice-president of the teachers association, Dr Ajit Karnatak told ‘The Pioneer‘ that the demands of the teachers are genuine. He said that the teachers are demanding security of pension of the staff working in research and extension projects.
The other demand of teachers is that the university should follow the rotational policy in appointments on the position of Head of Department (HOD) like other universities and benefit of Assured Career Progression (ACP).
The teachers are also demanding a status of central university to the GBPUAT. Dr Karnatak said that a delegation of the teachers would hold meeting with the deans and registrar of the university on late Tuesday evening to discuss the issues. While a section of the teachers is terming the resignation of the VC as a mere pressure tactics there is section of the staff which feels that the agitating teachers are demanding what is beyond purview of the VC.
“He is a very emotional man and was hurt when the teachers didn’t heed to his repeated requests of returning back to work. The university is fortunate that a person of such a high stature is working as VC here. He is working on a mission to bring back the old glory of the university and donates whatever salary he receives,’’ said one of a staff member.
The VC was working with a motto to make the university central to the process and strategies of agrarian development in Uttarakhand.
Expressing solidarity with the VC, three directors and eight deans of the university have also tendered there resignations. The Director Extension, Dr Y P S Dabas told The Pioneer that the teaching and research environment of the university got a boost after the appointment of Dr Mangala Rai. Dr Rai remained incommunicado for third consecutive day on Tuesday ever since he shocked everyone with his resignation. It is learnt the Governor has refused to accept his resignation.