Bharathiar University Employees Union Plans Protest Over Non-Payment of Deepavali Advance

Coimbatore: The Bharathiar University Employees Union has sought police permission to stage a protest near the Coimbatore South Taluk Office on November 6, demanding payment of the Deepavali festival advance to contract and temporary employees of the university.

Earlier, on November 2, the union held a sit-in protest against the university administration, alleging non-disbursal of the festival advance to these employees.

According to the union, the Registrar had assured its representatives on October 26 that the festival advance would be released after clearance from the Higher Education Department Secretary. They were also informed that approval had been granted to form a committee to ensure the implementation of the Coimbatore Collector's minimum wage recommendations for temporary staff.

However, during a subsequent meeting on October 29, the Registrar reportedly informed the union representatives that the Higher Education Department Secretary had not approved the advance and had directed the university to obtain clearance from its Finance Committee. The matter was expected to be taken up after the committee meeting scheduled for November 3.

The union pointed out that permanent employees had already received a festival advance of Rs. 20,000, while contract and temporary workers continued to await payment. It also recalled that the advance had been released to these workers last year only following a protest, and urged the Higher Education Department to intervene in the matter.

In a petition dated November 4, union General Secretary M. Rameshkumar sought permission to hold a demonstration from 6 pm to 8 pm on November 6 near the Coimbatore South Taluk Office, urging the authorities to intervene and ensure payment of the advance.