Remuneration dispute: About 100 Maharani Cluster University guest lecturers protest for a week
They have been boycotting classes and warned of a hunger strike if the government does not resolve their salary-related issues immediately
Over 100 guest lecturers at Maharani Cluster University have been protesting for a week without receiving their salaries due to a dispute over remuneration policies. The university and the Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) have been at odds over the recruitment and payment processes. The government mandated the university to hire guest lecturers for 2026–27, but the university argued it could not afford the costs.
Consequently, the DCE appointed 106 lecturers, while the university directly hired 30 for specialized subjects. The DCE's remuneration of ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 is paid without TDS, while directly recruited lecturers receive up to ₹50,000 with 10% to 20% TDS. The university began deducting TDS from DCE-appointed lecturers, leading to the current standoff.
Lecturers contend that they should only adhere to departmental rules and that TDS on already low pay is unsustainable. The university has not issued service certificates or made salary payments for two months, and appeals to university officials and the Higher Education Department have gone unanswered. The acting Vice-Chancellor stated that TDS complies with the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal's order, promising to rectify the situation.
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