Guest lecturers across Karnataka seek regularisation after new hiring order
Bengaluru: Guest lecturers across Karnataka are expressing concerns over the Department of Collegiate Education’s recent notification inviting new applications for the 2025–26 academic year. Many lecturers, who have served in the same roles for several years, are reportedly being overlooked, despite their long-standing contributions to higher education.
Members of the State First Grade Colleges Guest Lecturers’ Welfare Association, quoted by The New Indian Express, have raised alarms after the department issued recruitment calls 4-5 times during the 2024-25 academic year, bypassing existing lecturers who have already proven their merit. They argue that fresh appointments are being made despite the Supreme Court's rulings allowing the regularisation of long-serving temporary staff in various sectors.
“These appointments are happening at the cost of experienced lecturers who have been working tirelessly for years. Instead of recognising our service, the department is treating us as replaceable,” TNIE quoted Santhosh NS, secretary of the association, as saying.
Guest lecturers are also expressing frustration over their compensation. Despite performing duties equivalent to full-time staff, often working 15-18 hours per week, they allege that they receive a fraction of an assistant professor’s salary.
“As per UGC Regulations 2018 and 2019, guest lecturers must be appointed on the same basis as full-time faculty, and their remuneration should reflect their workload - up to Rs 1,500 per hour and Rs 50,000 per month,” stated the association.
“We are 10,300 guest lecturers doing the work of full-time staff, but without recognition or security. The system is built on our backs, yet we remain invisible. We were selected through interviews and merit lists. We have been working for over 15-20 years. If this isn’t eligibility for regularisation, what is?” TNIE quoted Lokesh PC, president of the association, as saying.
The association also pointed out that while Siddaramaiah had advocated for the regularisation of guest lecturers during his time as Leader of the Opposition, as Chief Minister, he has reportedly overlooked their service and sent many lecturers home.
Citing examples from other states where long-serving guest lecturers have been retained regardless of UGC qualifications, the association urged the Karnataka government to prioritise experience and loyalty over rigid formal criteria. They have demanded that the recent notification be withdrawn, allowing current lecturers to continue in their roles, with new appointments made only for vacant positions.
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Rs 1.7 cr found during Lokayukta raids at govt engineer's friend's house
Bengaluru (PTI): A sum of Rs 1.70 crore was seized from the flat of a friend of a senior government engineer during Lokayukta raids conducted in connection with a disproportionate assets case in Karnataka, officials said on Thursday.
The recovery was made during searches linked to H M Janardhan, Superintendent Engineer in the Karnataka Residential Educational Institutions Society, against whom a case has been registered at the Bengaluru Rural Lokayukta Police Station based on information regarding alleged acquisition of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
ALSO READ: Lokayukta sleuths raid premises of four govt officials in Karnataka
"In connection with the disproportionate assets case registered against H M Janardhan, searches were conducted at six locations. During the search, cash amounting to Rs 1.70 crore was found at the flat of his friend, Sujay Shetty," a Lokayukta official said.
The official added that, "the search operation is continuing and further details are being ascertained."
Earlier in the day, Lokayukta sleuths carried out simultaneous searches at several premises linked to four government officers across Karnataka.
According to the Lokayukta, the raids targeted properties in Bengaluru, Davangere and Dharwad in connection with disproportionate assets case.
Officials under investigation include Janardhan and Arjun R H, Assistant Executive Engineer (Civil) in BESCOM, Davangere, among others.
A Lokayukta source said, "The searches are part of an ongoing probe into alleged irregularities and disproportionate assets. Relevant documents and materials are being examined." Further investigation is underway.
