Devbrat Patnaik

Bhubaneswar: Taking strong cognizance of the reports with regard to absence of teaching and non-teaching staff from colleges without prior intimation or approval of the Principal, the State Higher Education department has issued a notice stating that henceforth such disorderliness would result in loss of pay as per 'No Work No Pay' principle.

In a letter to Principals of all government colleges and aided colleges, the department revealed, "It is seen during the visit of colleges that a number of teaching and non-teaching employees remain on leave without prior approval of the Principal or without prior intimation to the Principal. In this connection, it is hereby clarified that as per relevant Service Rule/Leave Rule, leave is not a matter of right. An employee can take leave only if the leave sanctioning authority permits him to take leave."

"And if an employee remains on leave without permission/sanction of the leave sanctioning authority, that will be treated as unauthorized absence from duty resulting in loss of pay for the period of unauthorized absence on the basis of 'No Work No Pay' principle," the letter clarified.

On teachers participating in agitations, the department has directed the Principals to ensure that the agitating teachers remaining absent from colleges without permission would face action and not get salary for the days of absence.

"Leave shall not be granted for participating in any agitation such as Rally, Dharna, Demonstration, etc. If any employee participates in any such agitation by remaining absent from duty, it should be treated as unauthorized absence from duty with 'No Work No Pay' principle. Participation in any agitation shall be viewed adversely which may lead to premature retirement in case of Government employees and withdrawal of Government Grant-in-Aid in case of employees of aided colleges receiving Government GIA," stated HE department.

Moreover, Principals have to ensure that no employee of their respective college participates in any form of agitation. "If any Principal sanctions leave in favour of an employee thus helping him to participate in any kind of agitation, the Principal shall be held responsible for aiding and abetting such agitation," it reads.

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