Moneylife: Mumbai: Wednesday,
September 07, 2016.
In what may
be called as a shocking revelation, Mumbai-based Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy
School of Art, the oldest art institution in the city, is functioning with just
about 25% of sanctioned strength of teachers. According to information procured
by Anil Galgali under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, at present almost 33
out of 44 posts of professors and lecturers are lying vacant in the
internationally renowned institute.
RTI activist
Galgali had sought information about the total faculty positions and the status
from Sir JJ School of Art. Replying to his query, the Public Information
Officer and Registrar Alka Chavan informed that, seven out of the eight posts
of the professors are lying vacant and 26 of the 36 posts for lecturers are
also vacant. Similarly, six posts of ad-hoc lecturers and nine posts of
contract lecturers are functional as interim arrangements.
The position
of ad-hoc Lecturers is functioning since 1993, but after a court order, these
posts were regularised since 1997. On the query as to who is responsible for
filling the vacant positions, Galgali was informed that the Director at the
Directorate of Arts and Culture fills the post of professors and lecturers in
Sir JJ School of Art.
Expressing
surprise at the utter neglect shown by Directorate of Arts and Culture towards
appointment of professors and lecturers, Galgali has demanded action against
those responsible for the delay. Galgali, in a letter to Maharashtra Chief
Minister Devendra Fadnavis also demanded that the vacant posts at Sir JJ School
of Art should be filled up urgently. "The neglect exhibited by the
Director of Directorate of Arts and Culture is in contrast to the aims of the
government for promotion of art and will have a negative impact on the aims of
the government," he said.
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