Assam College Teachers’ Association Demands Promotions, Plans Zubeen Garg Tribute

In a press conference today, Assam College Teachers’ Association (ACTA) has announced that work on a research-based book on Zubeentitled “Zubeen Garg: Life, Works and Achievements” will begin in the first week of November under the association’s leadership.

In a press statement issued from ACTA’s central office, President Dr. Jayanta Baruah and General Secretary Parag Jyoti Mahanta informed that the project will be carried out in consultation with the late artist’s wife Garima Garg, sister Dr. Palmee Barthakur, other close family members, and eminent writers and intellectuals from Assam.

The association also said that efforts will be made to gather public emotions and memories from Zubeen Garg’s fans to enrich the book. Planned to be published in two or more languages, the research-oriented book will require at least six months for completion to ensure that it is both aesthetically rich and academically comprehensive. ACTA plans to constitute an editorial and expert committee within November to begin work immediately.

Demands for Due-Date Promotions and Pay Parity

Apart from the cultural initiative, the association expressed serious concern over the unresolved issues faced by college teachers in Assam.

President Dr. Baruah and General Secretary Mahanta reminded that during the meeting held with ACTA representatives on June 1, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had assured immediate action to grant promotions to college teachers as per University Grants Commission (UGC) norms under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) and to revise the basic pay of fixed-pay teachers — particularly those earning 55,000 — by upgrading it to 57,700, thereby bringing them under the pension scheme.

Despite these assurances and positive cooperation from the Education Minister, ACTA expressed deep dissatisfaction that both issues remain unresolved even after several months.

The association stated that during the June 1 meeting, the Chief Minister had sought some time to implement promotions from the due date and had personally agreed that such promotions were a just and fair demand. Hence, ACTA has now urged the government to bring an amendment in the upcoming cabinet meeting to resume the CAS-based promotion process and ensure that all eligible college teachers receive their promotions from the due date as per UGC guidelines.

ACTA further expressed hope that the Chief Minister would resolve the due date promotion issue, remove senior-junior disparities, and restore the UGC-prescribed promotion mechanism in Assam’s higher education system.

ACTA Objects to Remarks Made by Education Secretary

In the same statement, ACTA also objected to certain comments allegedly made by the Secretary of the Higher Education Department during the Induction Programme for newly appointed college teachers, where he reportedly made derogatory remarks against the association and advised new teachers not to join ACTA.

The association strongly condemned the incident and called upon the Secretary to refrain from making such divisive or inappropriate comments in the future, especially while referring to ACTA’s President or members of the teaching community.

ACTA emphasized that such remarks are unbecoming of a senior government official and could harm the spirit of unity and collaboration between the teaching fraternity and the education department.

Also Read: Dispur College Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Assam’s Music Icon Zubeen Garg