The protest ended around 5.30pm after salaries were credited, said P Murugesan, an academic council member of MKU. Madurai: Consolidated-pay faculty of Madurai Kamaraj University College at Tallakulam boycotted classes and held a sit-in on Thursday after their monthly salaries were delayed.
He said the response triggered the protest by the college’s 30 consolidated-pay teaching staff. The institution also has 19 regular teaching faculty. Murugesan said the college currently collects about Rs 10 crore annually in student fees, while nearly Rs 12 crore is required for salaries alone. MKU College was established by the university in 1994 using its own funds after obtaining UGC approval. It began with about 1,000 students and now has around 3,800 students pursuing 25 undergraduate and postgraduate arts and science programmes. The college was not included when the govt took over 41 constituent colleges attached to universities last year.
Because it functions as a separate university-run unit rather than being classified as a constituent college, the faculty said MKU College was excluded. “Salary is usually credited on the 30th. The faculty sought clarity on the college’s finances and demanded a white paper detailing its income and expenditure. They alleged that financial mismanagement over the years had worsened the institution’s position, including diversion of provident fund and contingency money to meet expenses. Faculty have repeatedly sought a state govt takeover, arguing that dependence largely on student fees has left the college in financial strain.
When faculty questioned the university on Thursday morning, they were asked to wait for another two days,” said Murugesan.