CUTAB

letters rendering services in the universities and colleges did not have a common pulpit whence they could give vent to their convictions, ideas, precious thoughts and , of course grievances. Resultantly, a society of scholars felt the crying need and on February 13, 1926, a meeting was held in the Lecture Hall, (Asutosh Hall), University of Calcutta with a view to forming a permanent Association of the persons engaged in higher education. “ All Bengal College and University Teachers Association” under the presidency of Acharya P.C. With the cumulative growth of academic institutions and continuous influx of learners, quantity of educators/ teachers in proportion to the students became the demand of the ages. The College Service Commission was set up much later and the Commission proved foil to meet the needs. In order to fill the incidental vacuums, teachers were recruited in colleges and universities. Ironically, these scholars with apt degrees in their credit were brought under a grotesque nomenclature “Part-time” teachers or lecturers, and hackneyed as “part-timers”. Lexically, the phrase “part-timer” means one who works less than the customary time. As the system would have it, millions of souls, despite their proficiencies, dedications, degrees and determinations have been bearing with the derogatory brand “part-time”. It was in 2002-03 the West Bengal College & University Part Time Teachers organization staged its inception, keeping in view the all-square welfare of more than 8000 teachers with the stigma of “not working up to customary time”. Thus, WBCUPTTA is a healthy off-shoot to But. The struggles set forth thereon. In the teeth of scorching heat, rain and chill, thousands have, time and again, collected at Govt. offices like Bikash Bhaban in order to have the humble and logical demands met. From a paltry sum of Rs 4000, a revised pay structure ( Rs 7000/- and 8000/-) came to effect in April, 2009. Only 53 colleges were approved by the State Higher Education Department. In fine, movements and their results are thus: - Friday, December 17, 2010, G.O for contractual lecturers; December 24, 2010, hundreds launched “ Bikash Bhaban Abhijan” with a view to enhancing pay-structure and acknowledging suitable designation; Historic G.O of September, 2010 came out; May 27, 2011, a meet with Prof. Bratya Basu, hon’ble Minister, Higher Education at Bikash Bhaban; the references are too many to be roomed.

*The services rendered by WBCUPTTA in recent and current times: - A Help-Desk has been constituted at Bikash Bhaban with the joint enterprises by Kolkata District Committee, 24 Paraganas District committee ( South) and 24 Paraganas District Committee ( North) to ease and activate the G.O of 21. 09. 2010. This has expedited the procedure of the Approval meant for the teachers (part time) of enumerable colleges in the state.

* The Association has been incessantly striving to have the 17 unfortunate dismissed teachers reabsorbed. The principals of seven colleges have unlawfully and unethically violated the Govt. verdicts and dispensed with their services. Up till now, 250 rebuffed teachers have been reinstated as a result of repeated meetings with the Governing Bodies, Principal Council, the Vice Chancellors, Senate and Syndicate of the universities. Needless to say, this is a historic educational victory of the organization.

* Many colleges have as yet connived at the Govt. mandates and have refrained from submitting the necessary paper-documents for the Approval of the teachers to Bikes Brabant. It is our Association alone that has spotted and earmarked these alleged colleges and has already kept the Minister of Higher Education posted about this. Consequently, a good number of colleges and universities have been compelled to submit necessary papers to Bikash Bhaban.

* The organization, by virtue of the tripartite meetings with the higher officials of the DPI has secured the consent that besides “ Approval Letter By Post”, there should be “ hand to hand” acknowledgements of the Approval Letters to the concerned Principals or the Bursars of the colleges that have not till date received Memo Numbers. Achievements, Commitments and Prospects: - The remarkable achievements the organization can take pride in so far are, of course, the job-security up to 60 years of age. The uncertainty of incumbency used to be the darkest cloud in the horizon, which has, however, been dispersed owing to our ceaseless shedding of blood, toil, sweat and tears. Since the cry of an individual hardly reaches the lofty realm of the Body that Governs ( G.B), to be in a body has been circumstantial emergency for us who are as yet the third-class citizens in the domain of education. In the world of higher education we are disgracefully left as “part” and could not be “full”. We are the last to take to the life of “mendicant monks”. Teachers are esteemed as the most respectful members of society far and wide the globe. We have, with our sweet will, have taken up the most noble profession. We are gifted with the legacy of Acharya P.C. Roy, the founder of All Bengal College and University Teachers Association, and S. Radhaktishnan. That is why, we cannot put up with even iota of humiliation. We Endeavour to get rid of the demeaning cloister of “Part”, an abominable phenomenon of partition. We seek for “full”, a dignity manifesting completeness. In this age of exorbitance, one cannot but call one’s existential sail in question with a meager sum of Rs. 9, 450 or 13, 500. We experience, the Govt. is up and doing in standing by the deprived masses of all sections. We strongly hope, the Govt. can feel our pulse, can read our plight. We are practically wretched, ill-fated members, housed at the basement of academic edifice. Irrespective of class, community, faith and political ideology, we are, virtually, prone to the system. Ours may have diverse political convictions. But, in terms of plight, pain, persecution and presentiment we are in a body. The time is not for discrimination, isolation and classification. Unification is the call of the day. Scattered we are, battered we will be. Hence, apolitically, let us vouch for the betterment of our lot. Governments, no matter, which political parties father them, should be our custodians. We are avowed apolitically, rubbing shoulders with all, marching le stout ensemble to do away with the present dark.