Angry over the non-implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission with regard to their salary structure, Lucknow University Teachers Association (LUTA) has decided to launch a four step non-cooperation movement against the university administration.

On June 22, LUTA will protest in the university campus against low salary and the laidback attitude of the state government in the implementation of the commission recommendations, said Dr LUTA president Anil Shukla.

“This issue is low on the priority list of the government. A primary school teacher is paid more than us. Even a clerk enjoys a higher pay scale. While the basic salary of a lecturer is Rs 8,000, a clerk gets Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000,” he added. The Sixth Pay Commission has been implemented for all grades but not for teachers in higher education, Shukla said.

The LUTA has decided to continue its protest by joining hands with the Lucknow University Associated Colleges Teachers’ Association (LUACTA) on June 25 and demonstrate in front of Vidhan Bhavan.

The LUTA members will also participate in a march on July 1. After the university opens on July 16, the next day, LUTA has called for a mass leave by the teachers. “Even after all this if our demands are not met, we will begin complete non-cooperation and demonstrations,” said Shukla.

If the government was serious about the issue, it has the capacity to release the increased pay, he added.

“The University Grants Commission pays 80 per cent of our salary and it has already paid the amount to the state government. So, they can easily pay us the salary for at least eight months right at this moment,” he added. “We are asking for Rs 16 crore as increment to the Rs 60 crore being paid to the teachers till now,” Shukla said.