Exercise Self Restraint Against RTI Applications / Litigations Against UGC- An Appeal to all Librarians

[SUNNY JOSEPH]

Dear friends,

            I was reflecting on what prompted UGC for taking away the benefits enjoyed by librarians. I was suspecting that  flood of RTI applications and some litigations against UGC may be the cause behind the UGC decisions against librarians. My suspicion is strengthened by the report of Sri. Subin that non inclusion of librarian in UGC major projects and minor projects and  denying study leave to librarians are not omissions or accidental but intentional or willful actions by UGC. Also my friend doing PhD under FIP recently met Dr. Gopakumar, Deputy Secretary UGC , Bangalore said that UGC was annoyed with RTI applications from Librarians.

            So my suspicion is not baseless. The present decisions against librarians are only test doses ; severe decisions such as exclusion of librarians from UGC scheme can be expected reasonably in near future.

            It is true that being information professionals librarians are in the for front of RTI movement. But at the same time we had not estimated the wrath of responding authorities such as UGC. After the SC judgment in NET case UGC is doubly powerful to do anything in academic matters which can not be questioned even in Supreme Court.

            This being the reality we have only limited options.

1. Exercise self-restraint in RTI applications/Litigations against UGC. Restrict our friends also. It is not surrender but a strategic retreat.
2. Do not proceed further with petition against UGC to Central Information Commission (CIC) or contempt petition against UGC.
3. Do not press for adverse actions against UGC officials in CIC.
4. Do not use the designation Librarian in RTI applications.
5. Settle the disputes through consultations or through employing influential persons.
6. Use political influence  rather than fights through Courts.
7. Do wound healing actions  or confidence building measures in UGC through personal talks, Associations and using influential persons.
8. Immediately form a national association of practicing Librarians and do positive talks with UGC and MHRD to restore the lost confidence thus prevent them from further damages.
9. We can not depend AIFUCTO or other Librarians Associations led by Library Science Teachers.
10. Employ maximum use of our political connections.

 

 

 

 

[Biju Varghese]

Sir,

I have an idea to nullify the RTI flood and maximum awareness among the librarians regarding the RTI answers.

Can we start a common forum to post all the RTI answers with questions, collected by individuals regarding librarianship. So we can avoid unwanted duplication/ flood of RTI queries. LIS-LINK is the right platform to post RTI answers with questions. So it will be useful to everyone in this profession.

I think Dr. Badan Barman will take positive step on this.

[Dr. Badan Barman]

If you are asking to host lots of RTI file, It can be done..

[Biju Varghese]

Sir,

Only the items relevant to the professionals for the further use. If it is possible.

[Dr.Harmanpreet Singh Sandhu]

Dear friends, Mr.Joseph has pointed out some assumptions regarding ineligibility of librarians for UGC research projects due to flooding of RTI applications. We can rightly call it degradation of the status of the Librarians by the UGC, but i think it is not a knee-jerk reaction from the UGC just because of some short term flooding of RTI's or court cases conflict. The real demon is yet to come..... it may be indifferent attitude towards the profession, professionals,,,,,or  lowering the grade pay, scale and status of the librarians. The reason for this degradation is our own professionals who are sitting at the top of the pyramids and doing nothing.... How many of the national association office bearers, professors or professionals can be equated with Dr.Ranganathan as Library activists. No one..... Thats why i call this profession as stagnant..... Everyone wants to enter the Library science teaching department in a nick of opportunity we get. This shows are own mentality towards this noble profession.

But everything is not lost..... We should not loose hope and regard our profession in high stakes as this is the only degree which gives befitting jobs in todays competitive environment.... So friends change others attitude by working hard continuously and learning new skills, eagerly volunteering in day to day activities of the institution so that everyone regards us as intelligent and active element of the educational machinery and not as "vehle people with nothing to do approach" !

I am sorry if i have hurt anybody's feelings !