HAPUTWA Warns Statewide Protest Over Pending CAS and Salary Cuts

Shimla, Date — The Himachal Pradesh University Teachers’ Welfare Association (HAPUTWA) has strongly opposed the meeting of the Executive Council of Himachal Pradesh University held today. The association believes that the meeting has turned into merely a platform for political decisions, ignoring the interests of teachers and the university.

HAPUTWA President, Dr. Nitin Vyas, stated that thousands of teachers working in higher educational institutions across the state—whether universities or colleges—have been struggling for the past seven years for their legitimate rights, namely promotions under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). It is extremely unfortunate that despite such a long delay, no concrete or positive steps have been taken by the government or the university administration to resolve this important issue.

He said that CAS is not merely a promotion scheme, but an essential mechanism for ensuring academic growth, research advancement, and maintaining institutional quality. However, the failure to effectively implement this scheme in the state has not only demoralized teachers but has also adversely affected the quality of higher education.

Dr. Vyas further stated that Himachal Pradesh has become perhaps the first state in the country where teachers are being systematically deprived of their legitimate rights. This has not only increased dissatisfaction among teachers but has also led to a growing disillusionment among talented youth towards the teaching profession.

The General Secretary of the association, Dr. Ankush Bhardwaj, in his statement said that the recent decision of the state government to deduct 3% from the monthly salaries of Class A and Class B employees is completely anti-employee and authoritarian in nature. He said that while the government is withholding the legitimate financial benefits of teachers and employees, it is simultaneously imposing salary cuts, which is unjustifiable in every sense.

He alleged that the state government is placing an economic burden on employees to compensate for its increasing revenue deficit, which is highly condemnable. In this period of rising inflation, when common employees are already struggling to support their families, such decisions are only worsening their difficulties.

HAPUTWA also stated that while the political class and senior bureaucrats continue to enjoy various facilities and subsidies, ordinary employees and teachers are being consistently neglected. This dual policy is not only unjust but also against democratic principles.

The association has also raised serious concerns regarding the role of the university’s Executive Council. According to HAPUTWA, the Executive Council, which is the highest decision-making body of the university, has deviated from its core purpose and has turned into a political arena. The decisions being taken here are neither in the interest of teachers nor conducive to the overall development of the university.

Dr. Vyas emphasized that the Executive Council should take decisions while upholding academic dignity, transparency, and fairness, rather than functioning under political pressure. If this situation continues, it will have serious long-term consequences on the university’s reputation and academic environment.

HAPUTWA has clearly warned that if the long-pending demands related to CAS are not fulfilled at the earliest and anti-employee decisions are not withdrawn, the association will be compelled to launch a widespread movement. Teachers from all universities and colleges across the state will actively participate in this movement.

The association has demanded from the state government and university administration that:
1. Pending promotions under CAS should be restored with immediate effect.
2. The 3% monthly salary deduction imposed on Class A and Class B employees should be withdrawn immediately.
3. Pending financial benefits of teachers, such as Dearness Allowance (DA) and other allowances, should be released at the earliest.
4. The university’s Executive Council should be freed from political interference and its autonomy must be ensured.

In conclusion, Dr. Nitin Vyas stated that HAPUTWA remains committed to safeguarding the rights of teachers and the dignity of the university and will not step back from its struggle under any circumstances. He also called upon all teachers across the state to unite and actively participate in this movement.