Teachers’ association not legally valid, says Vice Chancellor

Pondicherry University Vice-Chancellor Chandra Krishnamurthy has hit back at the protestors demanding her ouster by claiming that the Puducherry University Teachers Association (PUTA) was “defunct and not a legally valid and recognised association”.

A statement from the University claimed that the tenure of the PUTA and the Officers Association was over and that the Joint Action Committee (JAC) consisted of representatives of these two invalid associations.

The Associations’ protests seeking the removal of the VC was unjustified as the case was pending in the Madras High Court and the verdict, which had to be accepted by all, was awaited.

However, the Associations have been organising protest meeting, processions and strike with the intention to create hurdles and hamper the administrative and academic process of the University, the statement said.

The University has taken steps to counter activities undertaken by “this small dissident group to retard the efficient functioning and growth of the University”, the statement said. After several years, steps have been initiated by the VC to create new posts for promotion, conduct long pending DPC and fixing of seniority as per rules and regulations.

The administrative process for candidates due for promotion has been streamlined and the probation of more than 80 teaching faculty has also been declared, the statement said.

The statement also pointed out that the University had recommended 25 per cent reservation in all PG courses for candidates from the Union Territory.