DU loses 30 of its teachers and staff

The second wave of the pandemic has hit the country drastically. The collapse of the healthcare system has brought a calamity to the citizens. Amidst this, the University of Delhi has lost over 30 of its teachers and staff to the virus. Along with this, some retired teachers have also lost their lives. 

Demands from UGC

In a letter to UGC, DUTA has asked for 2.5 crores of relief compensation for the families of those teachers who died in this pandemic. Rajib Ray, the President of DUTA pointed out that the given amount is less as compared to what a teacher might save up for his family. Therefore, they have also demanded jobs for the family members of the deceased. 

The varsity has lost some of its teachers who held senior positions in central administration. Joint Registrar, Sudhir Sharma and Vinay Gupta, the former Dean of Examinations. Vinay Gupta was a prominent teacher in the Department of Physics and Astrophysics. 

Pramod Kumar Singh from the Chemistry department and Arunesh Chaudhury of the Commerce department lost their lives in the second wave of this pandemic. Both of the teachers belonged to Kirori Mal College.

The Welfare Fund and relief provided

In a recent meeting of the Managing Committee, it was decided that the amount of ten lacs utmost would be provided to the families of deceased teachers who lost their lives after 1st March 2021. 

The families of the teachers aged 40 or below would be provided compensation of ten lacs. Meanwhile, for the families of teachers aged between 40 to 50 and above 50, they would be given the relief amount of eight lacs and 6 lacs respectively.  

For the Ad-hoc teachers, a relief amount of five lacs has been decided as of now. The relief would be provided even if the teacher has not been a member of the Welfare Fund.

Other universities have been hugely affected by this wave. Reportedly, AMU has lost 50 members, which includes working, retired teachers, school teachers and staff. Mohammad Shakeel Ahmed, the dean of its Faculty of Law and the chairmen of the Department of Psychology, Medicine, Sanskrit to name a few. Jamia Millia Islamia has lost about four of its professors and 15 staff members. Whereas, in Uttar Pradesh, at least 700 government school staff died who were posted at Panchayat Poll duty.

The teaching community is mourning the loss of its members while working to arrange relief for those who have been affected in the second wave.