The Asian Age: New Delhi: Tuesday, June 20, 2017.
The Delhi
University Teachers Association (Duta), which is known as the most vocal
teachers’ body in the varsity, has claimed to be out of the purview of the
Right to Information (RTI) Act, while DU has no information about its
recognition in any manner. The revelations have come out in an RTI application
filed by a student of the Faculty of Law.
Notably, the
Delhi University College and Karamchari Union, Delhi University and Colleges
Lab (Tech) Staff Association (DUCLSA), and Central Pool Grievance Committee (CPGC)
have been recognised by the university through an agreement with them. A robust
mechanism is instituted officially for the students under the name of DU
Student Union (DUSU) at the varsity level with its own constitution, office
infrastructure, staff advisor, and rules. In his reply to the RTI, Duta
treasurer Bhupinder Chaudhary stated that Duta is neither a statutory body nor
a government institution. Hence, he said, it is not liable to reply to any
question under the RTI.
Duta has
always been proactive to take into interest the matters of every individual and
the varsity. Joint secretary Rajesh Jha said it has created reforms out of
their collective struggles.
“Duta is not
a legally registered body. But we carry legitimacy because of our work, and we
work for the collective good of the university. A social entity, we are the
sole representatives of the teachers. We have elections and are recognised all
over the country. Duta is an important component of the varsity and we carry
out activities for social transformations,” Mr Jha added. Duta charges a fee of
`20 per member while DUCLSA, DUCKU, and CPGC charge `5 each, placing it at the
highest in the grid. Mr Jha said Duta does not take any fund from DU and bears
all the costs on its own.
“Acting through
its treasurer’s response, DUTA is evading the norms of the RTI so as to avoid
transparency, despite claiming to work for the collective good of the
university,” claimed the law student, Vikas.