The job security of guest faculty assistant professors working in government colleges in Punjab remains uncertain, despite assurances from Punjab’s Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. Over three and a half months ago, the Guest Faculty Joint Front of Government Colleges, Punjab, met with the minister at the Chief Secretariat in Chandigarh, where he promised to formulate a policy to regularize their jobs. However, no action has been taken so far.

Guest faculty professors have revealed that the Higher Education Department has listed their positions as vacant, even though they have been working on approved posts for years, teaching students and performing numerous academic and administrative duties diligently. These professors stated that they have served government colleges during times when low salaries deterred others from joining. Many of them are now past the age limit for securing permanent government jobs.

Frontline leaders of the Guest Faculty Joint Front have repeatedly visited the Chief Minister’s residence in Chandigarh but have received no concrete outcomes. They also met Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann during his roadshows in by-elections, where he assured them that their panel meeting would soon be convened. However, despite the passage of considerable time, no such meeting has been scheduled.

The guest faculty members have demanded that the Chief Minister fulfill his commitment to ensuring that no one’s livelihood is affected by securing their jobs and granting them appropriate pay grades. Currently, 795 guest faculty assistant professors are in a state of despair and frustration.

In light of the situation, the professors have announced a one-day protest on January 25 at the Higher Education Minister’s village, Gambhirpur, to voice their grievances and demand justice.