PUCTA (Punjabi University Contract Teachers Association) Union staged protests across various constituent colleges of Punjabi University, demanding justice for contractual teachers who have been working continuously for 10-15 years. Despite being eligible for regularization under UGC rules, these teachers have not been granted permanent status. They have undergone the same selection process and carry the same workload as regular teachers, yet the university has not formulated any policy for their regularization.

Additionally, Punjabi University has not implemented the Seventh Pay Commission for contractual teachers, even though other university employees have already received its benefits. Meanwhile, the central government is preparing to introduce the Eighth Pay Commission, further highlighting the disparity.

Dr. Lovedeep Sharma, former president of PUCTA, from University College Meerapur expressed his concern over the issue, stating, “It is extremely unfair that teachers who have dedicated 10-15 years of service are still being treated as temporary employees. We fulfill all UGC criteria, yet we are denied basic rights like regularization and fair pay. The university must take immediate action to address this injustice.”

The protesting teachers accused the university administration of neglect and demanded the immediate implementation of the Seventh Pay Scale along with a clear policy for their regularization.