Amounts ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 were deducted from the July salaries of about 450 employees, and a further deduction of ₹500 was made from their August salaries; this was against the ESI norms, the association pointed out, demanding a refund.
The employee contributions for the period from November 2019 to March 2025, as per ESI norms, have to be remitted by the university, the association emphasised.
The talks on Tuesday with the university authorities did not make any headway, and the association decided to continue its sit-in protest after the working hours.
The university had promised to constitute a committee represented by the administration, ESI and the association to decide on the issue, but since no time-frame was given, the association did not find the university’s stand convincing.
The association complained that the consolidated salary had remained static for three years, and that Pongal bonus had not been paid for the past two years. The association also highlighted that the university was yet to issue extension order to 90 employees, despite its being due to them.
The university’s stand was that the extension order has to be approved by the Finance Committee, and that a decision on salary rise and Pongal bonus could be taken only by the Secretary of Higher Education in his capacity as Convenor of the V-C Committee.
University sources said the association’s demand on refund of ESI deduction will be taken to the notice of the Convenor, and his permission will be sought for holding a meeting of the Finance Committee towards this month-end to decide on the issue.