Study leave abuse by teachers forces KMC to pull an all nighter
Despite the general body meeting of Kirori Mal College on Sunday, the stand over what needs to be done with teachers who went on study leave and didn’t submit their thesis is still not clear. Till late evening on Sunday, the meeting had yet not ended and the issue of the study leave had only been broached in vain. The issue, which has been a long standing one and has even attracted university intervention, has been stuck in a logjam for years. Thus, now there is a demand for a closure on this.
Sources say that the six teachers who owe the college lakhs of rupees are claiming that they didn’t get sufficient time to finish their research. However, college officials say this is the sanctioned time given to all teachers who go on study leave. Thus, with both the sides holding their ground, there is no clear idea as to what the solution will be.
A source in the college said on Sunday evening around 8 pm, “The issue of study leave was broached during the meeting. However, we still don’t know what the discussion led to. The final say would only be out when the meeting is over which can go on till late night as well.” On October 18, The Pioneer did a story revealing that almost Rs 34.5 lakh was pending in payment to the college. Six teachers had not paid up since 1996. Despite several warnings, notices and disclaimers being issued by the college, these teachers continue to teach in the college. The university, after giving extension to these teachers, finally asked the governing body of the college to settle the matter.
Meanwhile, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) held a dharna at KMC on Sunday outside the venue of the meeting of the governing body. They demanded an enquiry into the allegations of widespread corruption and nepotism against acting principal SP Gupta in the financial and administrative matters related to the conduct of UGC-NET Exams in 2012 and 2013.
Where on the one hand, there are serious allegations on six teachers for not owing money, DUTA on the other, shifted focus to the principal. DUTA claims that the acting principal misappropriated funds to the tune of Rs 1.5 crore.
“Despite repeated reminders from the university and the UGC directing it to take formal cognizance of the matter, the KMC governing body is yet to place it on the agenda of any meeting. Meanwhile the court has observed that a prima facie case for investigations into the allegations of “cheating and forgery” exists and has accordingly directed the local Maurice Nagar police station to file an FIR against SP Gupta,” said a DUTA media release.