The University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Vice Chancellors of 17 state universities have been requested by the State Minister of Education Suren Raghavan to prepare and present a comprehensive operation road map, in the event the strike by the staff of the non-academic staff continues in the campuses. The state minister has directed that the strategic operational plan be submitted to him by tomorrow. The move came after negotiations to resolve the prolonged strike in state universities continued for more than 55 days, crippling administrative and academic activities.

The state minister said that the non-academic staff strike has affected 200,000 students and the higher education system at large. In a related development, the Secretary of Education Ministry Tilaka Jayasundara has written to UGC Chairman Prof Sampath Amaratunga, all Vice Chancellors and Directors of all Postgraduate and other educational institutes to delegate powers regarding financial matters in view of the strike action.

“You are hereby instructed to make arrangements to delegate the authority for certification and payment of vouchers and signing cheques for the relevant suitable qualified officials of academic, or non-academic staff and take necessary action to make salary payment for the staff of the universities. (Those who are reporting to work)”, the Secretary said in a directive. “If necessary, bank signatory cards should be submitted to the banks,” the Secretary noted. Meanwhile, UGC Chairman Prof Amaratunga said they have learnt of attempts by the non-academic staff to carry out acts of sabotage including disconnection of electricity and water supplies for buildings accommodating students and staff.

He said that in some instances, the motive has been to cripple the online education system by cutting off power to the server rooms. However, their attempts have been futile as the university authorities have been able to keep online education going by making alternative arrangements. Prof Amaratunga said that universities have been given the authority to outsource work which cannot be completed. Finance Ministry officials said that it was impossible to grant the demands of the non-academic staff, as it would affect several other sectors. They said a committee is already studying the issue, as issues of other salary anomalies also are being looked into. -DWI