Librarians Win a Case Against Giving Academic Status to Librarians- We are Harming Ourselves.

[Academic Librarians Association]

URGENT AND IMPORTANT FOR THE PROFESSION

Now in Kerala High Court; Librarians of an university appointed without following UGC Norms have filed a case against Librarians in UGC Scheme claiming that like non UGC posts librarians in UGC Posts also should be treated as non academic staff. In Kerala even though UGC Scheme was implemented in 1986 non of the College/Assistant Librarian posts coming under UGC Scheme in all the Government Colleges and most of the universities were never notified or filled up as per UGC Norms. These posts were continuing to be filled up by promoting staff from non UGC posts. Universities still keep librarians under statutes in non academic posts like university clerks etc. And as University Librarian Posts can be filled up only as per its qualification the University Librarian Posts in all the 13 universities of Kerala including Central University of Kerala is kept vacant since 1986. 100s of NET holders could never apply as UGC posts of College/Assistant Librarians were never notified since 1986. Juniors are kept in charge of UL Post. Corruption is high. Each university purchases remaindered titles and pirated version of foreign books having trade discount of 70 to 80% for crore's of rupees (at 20-25% official discount) annually. And Book Sellers are controlling appointments and purchases in many universities with junior staff without powers in charge. We request you to read the judgement on status of Librarians which will have serious implications in all states in future and bring it into discussion. All these happens because of step motherly attitude of UGC towards Librarians and its defective regulations.

Read the judgement and Share it.:https://indiankanoon.org/doc/129254338/

[DR. AMRITPAL KAUR]

What is wrong with them ? It is not a wise decision to degrade ourselves, I could not understand what benifit they see in this move.

[Siddhartha Shankar Ray]

Dear Forum Members,

I read this post with a heavy heart.

I feel it is quite heinous act from the part of a section of our Co-Professionals.

I am sorry I have used a term which is demeaning for our Co-Professionals but I could not help it!

It may have a far reaching & serious adverse impact upon College Librarians throughout the Country. There is no denying that Librarians especially those in Colleges under UGC umbrella enjoy sort of envious advantages in terms of Pay Scales & Promotional prospects in comparison to those who are not under UGC umbrella (like Librarians in Medical Colleges, for instance) I have heard grievances from many of my friends working in Medical Colleges and National Research Institutes but every time they were of the opinion of escalation of their Pay Scales at par with the College Librarians and they never wanted the College Librarians be brought down to lower Pay Scales.

This is for the first time I have seen the opposite.

I feel their sentiments but they should have moved to the Court for escalation of their Pay Scales, but this sort of "dog in the manger" policy is quite unfortunate.

I have worked in institutions of diverse nature, primarily in Research Institutes, and post retirement, in Medical College and in University under UGC  as In-Charge of Libraries throughout my career. As such, I feel that I have fair experience of working with people and organizations under different set-ups. People of course had grievances and still they have. I must admit that I too had (& still have) grievances but that does not entitle anybody to curb others benefits.

I think those specially who are supposed to be in service for a couple of years and the new comers should join hands to combat this unfortunate incident.

Sincerely

Siddhartha S. Ray, Calcutta