The temporary non-teaching staff of Dr. Gangubai Hangal Music and Performing Arts University, whose dharna outside the university premises in Mysuru entered the 45th day on Wednesday, have sought an audience with Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai during his coming visit to Mysuru.
A total of 21 non-teaching employees complained that they have not been paid their salaries for the last ten months, denied an opportunity to work since November last year and refused entry into the premises for the last two months.
The agitating employees have written a letter to Deputy Commissioner Bagadi Gautham seeking an opportunity to meet the Chief Minister directly to seek a solution to their woes. The protesters said Mr. Bommai is scheduled to visit Mysuru on Thursday. However, Manjula B., one of the affected employees, told The Hindu that they have not heard from the DC yet on their request for an audience with the CM.
In a statement, the employees said they had been working in the university for the last eight to ten years on the basis of a consolidated monthly pay. However, the denial of their salaries in the last ten months has put them and their families in a lot of difficulty. They have urged the authorities to ensure that their salaries be released immediately and necessary steps are taken to regularise their services.
Already, several people’s representatives including Lok Sabha MPs of Chamarajanagar and Mysuru V. Srinivas Prasad and Pratap Simha respectively, besides Minister for Housing V. Somanna and MLA representing Chamaraja Assembly constituency in Mysuru L. Nagendra too had written to the authorities to consider the request of the agitating employees sympathetically. However, there has been no response from the Government.
Meanwhile, the Registrar of the university said the Government has made it clear that it not responsible for release of financial aid for appointment of temporary, contract or outsourced staff by the university over and above the posts sanctioned by the Government. Also, the Government has made it clear that the universities will abide by its rules with regard to appointments and disciplinary action will be initiated against the heads of the university if the rules are violated.
The Registrar also said the no decision on demands of the non-teaching temporary staff can be taken till the High Court rules on a writ petition filed by a temporary employee of the university in the regard.
