Ludhiana: AUCT is concerned about the deployment of ad hoc teachers on electoral missions

The Association of United College Teachers (AUCT), Punjab and Chandigarh, has filed a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner (DC), alleging that ad hoc teachers of Arya College were given electoral duties during the recent elections of Panchayat in Punjab.

The AUCT has expressed concerns, saying that entrusting crucial electoral tasks to temporary staff violates constitutional provisions. The union demands accountability from the college management who recommended these teachers to carry out this task.

Tarun Ghai, AUCT spokesperson, highlighted the risks involved. “If an incident occurs in a polling booth where the ad hoc staff is stationed, who will be held responsible? Colleges that recommend such teachers distort the facts, which jeopardizes the fairness of the electoral process,” he said.

Jaspal Singh, AUCT general secretary, said they acted quickly as soon as they became aware of the problem. “We filed a formal complaint on Saturday. If some teachers managed to obtain the elimination of their functions before the elections scheduled for October 18, others had to serve. Some of these teachers have only been at the college for a few months. We have called for immediate and strict action to prevent this from happening again.

Arya College principal Suksham Ahluwalia defended the college’s actions, saying: “There was no instruction to exclude ad hoc staff. We have always listed regular and temporary teachers, clearly mentioning their status and their salary structure. If we had been ordered otherwise, we would have complied.

Additional deputy commissioner (rural development) Harjinder Singh said, “I will look into the guidelines and look into the matter. »