DUTA on four-day strike: Classes affected in university

New Delhi, Sep 12 (UNI) The Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) today began a four-day strike to press for their demands, including setting up of a pay review committee and increase in the retirement age to 65 from 62 years.

As more than 1,000 teachers took to streets in protest, classes in the University were affected.

A six-member delegation, led by DUTA president Amar Deo Sharma, called on Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh and submitted a charter of demands.

The striking teachers are demanding that the University Grants Commission (UGC) immediately set-up the pay review committee,increase the retirement age to 65 years, give more medical and housing benefits and abolish the new pension scheme for the DU teachers.

''We are not raising any new demands. These have been pending since 1996. So far the government has ignored our pleas we are hopeful that now it will heed our request,'' Mr Sharma told UNI.

He said the existing age of 62 years did not allow a teacher to avail the benefits of the pension scheme as the service period required for that is 33 years.

''At present the average age for a new teacher to be hired is 35 years so that person is not entitled to the pension scheme,'' he added.

Mr Sharma said it was the legitimate right of the teachers to fight for their rights.

About the loss of faced by the students, the DUTA president said the teachers will ensure that the syllabus will be completed in time by conducting extra classes.

''For the students we will ensure that they do not suffer. But we have to fight for our rights also,'' he added.

Tomorrow the teachers will hold a demonstration outside UGC office, on Thursday outside Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's office and on Friday outside the DU Vice Chancellor's office.

UNI NR VA RK1750