Contractual/SFS Employees’ Protest Continues for Sixth Consecutive Day

Udaipur – The peaceful protest by the Contractual and Self-Financed Scheme (SFS) employees of Mohanlal Sukhadia University entered its sixth consecutive day on Saturday, as the employees continue to demand resolution of their five-point charter.

According to Shri Narayan Lal Salvi, President of the Contractual/SFS Employees’ Union of Mohanlal Sukhadia University, the university administration has not made any effort to reach out or initiate dialogue with the aggrieved employees. Instead, directives have been issued by the Registrar to the Deans and Directors, instructing them to terminate those employees who fail to return to duty and enforce the “No Work, No Payment” policy. Orders have also been issued to extend current employment contracts only up to 30th September 2025, compelling employees to return under this limited assurance.

However, the employees’ union has clearly stated that their demand aligns with the state government’s directive, which calls for extension of work orders until 31st December 2025, along with simultaneous release of salary orders. The employees argue that the university routinely issues work orders for only one or two months at a time, while the issuance of salary orders remains uncertain and delayed. This forces the Contractual/SFS staff into a prolonged and frustrating wait, often without timely pay.

The disparity becomes glaring when one observes that even a single day’s delay in salary of top university officials leads to immediate uproar, while the plight of Contractual and SFS staff is met with indifference. This silence on the part of the administration underscores the systemic disregard towards the employees who form the backbone of many essential university functions.

Due to the ongoing protest, most administrative and academic activities within the university premises remained paralyzed on Saturday. This disruption affected services like examinations, distribution of degrees and diplomas, and issuance of mark sheets. Students from remote tribal regions, who had travelled to the university for essential academic tasks, were seen wandering helplessly throughout the day.

Additionally, admission counselling sessions underway at several affiliated colleges have been adversely affected, with most institutional arrangements currently at a standstill.

The protestors alleged that instead of seeking a fair resolution, the university administration is more focused on intimidating the staff into submission. The demands being projected as complex are, in fact, neither unreasonable nor difficult to resolve — provided the university’s leadership exercises empathy and demonstrates the will to act.

The union also accused the university of sending misleading reports to the state government, thereby obstructing intervention or support from higher authorities.

The protest is expected to escalate from Monday, with a broader base of support, in defiance of what the employees are calling the administration’s unconstitutional orders and narrow-minded policies. The employees have reaffirmed that they will continue their peaceful protest until a just and practical solution is provided.