Part Time Problem
Justice delayed is not just justice denied, but justice complicated as well. The problem of the part time lecturers in Manipur is certainly one such. At this point in time, it actually is difficult to say where the dividing line between justice and injustice will be. This is of course, as a layman understands justice.
But then again, even the institutional justice system seems very undecided on the issue if the entanglements in the courts on the matter are any indication. A few things are quite obvious even to lay observers. It is difficult to believe those who entered into the part time lectureship contracts with the government did not know the meaning of a part time job, and its function as a stopgap arrangement until these posts can be filled by the due process of governmental recruitment.
It is again a foregone conclusion whether the part-time lecturers when they signed the contracts, did not have any mala fide intention of making the easy, back door entry into the prestigious and responsible profession, skirting what would have been an extremely competitive field for front door entrance.
Judging by the integrity of our leaders at the different times these part time appointments were made, one can almost be certain that the candidates were given the understanding that these part time posts were only the launching pad to the real thing, although at a cost on their wallets.
At that point in time, any lay verdict on where justice should be, would have been absolutely clear-cut - the part time posts must be converted to full time jobs, but via the normal governmental procedure of recruiting posts of such stature. That is, through open competition. That would have been fair to all qualified for the posts, and moreover, the employer, (the government), would have had the satisfaction of knowing that the recruits are the best available at that point of time.
For obvious reasons, the government kept delaying a clear-cut decision on the issue keeping the false hopes of the part timers alive that their jobs would automatically convert to full time ones, provided they hung on long enough. Atrocious as it may be, the delay has complicated matters a lot. Now heartbreaks will become inevitable regardless of whichever way justice chooses to stand by.
On the one hand are young, smart, qualified, job seekers, demanding their right to contest for the posts presently occupied by the part timers. On the other are the part timers, who had been engaged in their jobs for years, and many of whom may already be barred by age to compete again for the very jobs they have been in charge of. They would most certainly end up with the deep sense of victimization at being used and disposed by the government if they are dropped.
Because of the mala fide and intentional procrastination of the issue by past governments,
justice will now necessarily have to hurt and even wound. In doing justice some injustice will have to result, and for this we have only our leaders to thank. The truth also is, the longer the matter is delayed, the more grievous the wounds of justice will become.
Hence, if our observation were worth anything, we would urge the government to take the hard decision now and resolve the matter once and for all. Perhaps an open competition for the jobs, with the necessary concessions given to relax qualification norms for the
part timers, is still the only way out.
(Courtesy: The Imphal Free Press) |
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