PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, 7th January, 2016

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging that retirement benefits and pensions of several retired teachers of various universities in Jharkhand have not been paid for long and the Jharkhand universities and University Grants Commission (UGC) appeared to be insensitive to the need of teachers in crises.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of non-release of retirement and pensioner benefits impinging upon human rights to life, liberty, dignity and healthcare of retired professors of colleges in Jharkhand. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, Chairman, University Grants Commission, Secretary, Department of Health, Government of Jharkhand and Vice-Chancellor, Sidhu Kanho Murmu University, Dumka, Jharkhand calling for factual reports in the matter within two weeks.

According to the media report, 70 years old Roopnarayan Falhari, a former professor at Deoghar College, who had retired in 2009, died on the 22nd December, 2015 due to the lack of financial support for better medical treatment. It was reported that his retirement arrears worth Rs.20 lakh were pending with the Sidhu Kanho Murmu University (SKMU). The deceased was suffering from brain hemorrhage and got admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital in Ranchi on the 12th December, 2015. He could not be shifted elsewhere for better medical care, despite the recommendation of the doctor, on account of financial crunch.

Reportedly, several retired university teachers and their families are crying hoarse over the alleged apathy of the varsities and the University Grants Commission. Further, the Federation of University Teachers' Association of Jharkhand had claimed that at least ten retired professors in Jharkhand have died due to lack of funds for better treatment. It has also been claimed that a number of retired professors were suffering from critical illness.

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