Cuttack, March 22: Teachers of Ravenshaw University today wore black badges as a symbol of their protest against the varsity's indifference regarding their grievances over service matters.

More than 120 teachers under the banner of Ravenshaw University Teachers' Association wore the badges. They alleged that despite expressing their grievances to the vice-chancellor several times, their demands had drawn false assurances only.

The teachers staged a silent protest in front of the vice-chancellor's office from 10.30am to 12noon. "If our demands are not fulfilled, we will fo for a sit-in on April 5," association secretary Bikram Keshari Mishra told The Telegraph today.

The teachers are displeased over the university's "apathy to the issues of service book, career advancement, pension, General Provident Fund (GPF) and support staff".

The association alleged that despite repeated appeals, the university had not notified the advertisement for Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) for the promotion of teachers.

"Although the state government had notified promotion norms for university teachers in April 2016, the Ravenshaw University teachers are yet to get the benefit from it," Mishra said.

"In fact, the teachers recruited in 2009 are in the same post without promotion," he said.

Vice-chancellor Prakash Chandra Sarangi said: "Steps are being taken to fulfil the demands of the teachers. The issue of promotion will be taken up at the next meeting of the executive council on March 24-25."

The teachers have been demanding the updating of their service books as well.

"The service books of 22 faculty members, sent to the chancellor's office on June 28, 2014, are yet to be brought back to the university. The delay is hindering the pay fixation and promotion of the concerned teachers," a teacher said.

The teachers also expressed disappointment at the university's callousness concerning timely deposit of the National Pension System (NPS) and the GPF amount deducted from their salaries. "Teachers should not be deprived of their rights owing to university's arbitrariness," said association president Ramachandra Majhi.

The teachers have also demanded appointment of "one Class III skilled support staff member in every department to reduce non-teaching and secretarial burden of the teachers of various department heads". There are 24 departments in the university. But, none has a support staff member.

"The department heads are functioning as full-time head clerks in their respective departments. Such working conditions have created dissatisfaction, frustration and disappointment in the teaching community," Majhi said.