College Principal promotions draw flak

Juniors leapfrog seniors, promotion process run under coterie

metro india news  I hyderabad

A major controversy has erupted over the promotion process in the state’s government college education sector. Accusations are mounting that junior faculty members are being given promotions as principals of degree colleges while seniors are being overlooked. Some officials are also alleged to be cooperating in this. Several teachers claim that in the lists prepared for promotions, senior faculty with established seniority are being pushed down while juniors are being elevated so that preferred candidates can receive the promotions.

The College Education Department has undertaken the process of promoting Associate Professors and Professors to the posts of Degree College Principals. However, there are allegations that promotions are being granted through irregular means to ineligible candidates, disregarding UGC norms, state government orders, and various court judgments. As a result, those possessing higher qualifications such as the National Eligibility Test (NET), State Level Eligibility Test (SLET), or PhD are being denied promotions.

These faculty members have remained without due recognition for decades and are deeply frustrated. Particularly severe are the charges concerning the 1998 batch of teachers, whose service is nearing completion. They are allegedly being pushed lower in the seniority list while certain ineligible individuals are being given promotions. Affected teachers allege that 1998 batch members have been placed lower in the promotion list, with those from the 2002 and 2004 batches being brought higher. In reality, the promotion process after 1998 should follow the sequence of 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005.

Currently, more than 90 juniors and ineligible persons occupy higher positions, leaving nearly 51 teachers from the 1998 batch at risk of retiring without ever receiving principal promotions. 

Additionally, in 2011, ten individuals who came from other zones and Andhra Pradesh were allegedly given illegal priority through the 27 seniority list, side-lining senior teachers from the Telangana 2010 batch and appointing the newcomers as principals. For example, one teacher who, according to seniority, should rank between 10 and 15 on the list was placed at position 147, while juniors were elevated above him.

Some teachers are openly alleging that the promotion process in college education is being run under the control of a coterie. Many educators have expressed anguish that even those who are eligible must submit large amounts (as bribes) to get their names included in the promotion list. With the controversy reaching the College Commissionerate, information suggests that the already prepared seniority list is now under review. The Qualified Government Degree Lecturers Association (QGDLA) has demanded that higher authorities immediately revise the comprehensive seniority list to properly assign seniority to eligible lecturers of the 1998 batch, in accordance with the government memo issued by the previous administration and the Telangana Subordinate Rules (1996).

The association has also requested that the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for principal promotions be kept in abeyance until the seniority dispute is resolved. QGDLA State President Dr. T.S. Praveen Kumar has further demanded a thorough inquiry into certain College Education Department officials and related individuals who allegedly manipulated the list illegally according to their preferences, followed by appropriate disciplinary action.