Staff Reporter: There is no provision for appointment to the Master Role in the permanent post approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Rajshahi University (RU) has issued a circular inviting applications for the formation of a panel for the recruitment of 40 cleaners on a daily wage basis. The university administration has already completed all the procedures including the oral examination for the recruitment of cleaners.

The university administration did not take permission of UGC for such appointment. Even though the minimum age of the applicant was mentioned as 18 years in the recruitment circular, the maximum age limit was not kept. As there is no maximum age limit for application, questions are also being raised about this. As a result, the teachers have demanded the cancellation of the appointment.

It is currently awaiting approval from the syndicate. The registrar of the university said that the appointment is being made in the master role as opposed to the permanent post. Senior professors of the university have complained that the university administration is showing its thumbs up to the decision of UGC through such recruitment process. They say the appointment of 40 master roll employees as opposed to permanent posts is illegal and purposeful.

Senior professors at the university said UGC pays universities according to demand in various sectors. In case of emergency, one or two appointments can be made in the master role. But there is no provision for appointment to master role by panel as opposed to permanent position. Thus, a huge recruitment of 40 people in the master role will create financial and administrative chaos. It often has the opportunity for kinship and financial transactions.

It is learned that on December 4, 2019, the university administration issued a notification No. 3/2019 (general) to form a panel for the recruitment of 40 cleaners in the master roll. It asked to apply online on the university website between December 6 and December 20. After the application process, the oral examination of the eligible candidates was taken earlier this year. This appointment was not raised for approval at the syndicate meeting when the university was closed due to coronavirus infection.

Regarding the eligibility of the applicant in the notification, it is said that the candidates should have passed at least 8th class / JSC / equivalent. Must be at least 18 years of age. Candidates must belong to the Harijan community and have proof of this. Government policy will be followed in case of quota. The university administration claims that Masterroll is being appointed against the permanent position of the university. So UGC approval is not required. But the UGC says there is no chance of hiring a masterroll employee as opposed to a permanent position. Permanent appointments should be made as opposed to permanent posts.

Professor MA Bari, acting registrar of the university, said these are permanent posts of the university. UGC approval was required to fill the vacancy. We are hiring the opposite of permanent positions; So why the approval here? But Professor Dil Afroza Begum, a member of the University Grants Commission, said that permanent appointments could not be made to Masterroll or Edho, only permanent appointments had to be made. After informing the UGC about the appointment, their salaries and allowances will be allocated from the UGC.

He further said that no appointment can be made in the university without the approval of UGC. The UGC's approval will be required for the appointment of Masterroll and Edha. Otherwise problems like financial chaos may arise. In this regard, the former vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Chowdhury Sarwar Jahan said, the appointment to the master role is not by notification. Permanent posts are appointed by notification. In case of emergency, one or two appointments can be made in the master role