Uttarakhand PhD holders association has demanded that they should be considered eligible for the posts of guest teachings faculty on the pattern of Delhi and Haryana. Showing a copy of Government of Order of Haryana Government, they expressed regret over the Uttarakhand Government which has proscribed those with PhD degrees secured before 2009 while in another State the degree holders are being recruited on the post of assistant professor. Due to this reason brain drain is continuing from Uttarakhand.

While interacting with media persons here in Dehradun the association president of Garhwal division Dr Devendra Rawat said that since introduction of UGC regulation 2009 several States have eased their norms for PhD degree holder but here in Uttarakhand higher education department is unable to protect the interest of the degree holders. With this decision around 8000 PhD degree holders of Uttarakhand have been affected and they have been experiencing depression and disappointment.

"For this we have met State higher education Minister Indira Hridayesh but she has adopted negative attitude towards us. She told us to bring the document in question and only then would she do something concrete. Now we have supporting documents but she is yet to take action. Media in-charge Dr Veerendra Bartwalan alleged that the Minister is not including PhD degree holders by using the norms of UGC regulation-2009. Now question is that the regulation came in the year 2009 then how old PhD holders were appointed as lecturer on contractual basisIJ Why disparity among the PhD degree holdersIJ Several PhD holders are teaching students in Kumaon & Garhwal universities on temporary basis and even they have been given assurance for their consistency. Now question is that why such disparity with Garhwal holdersIJ

Vice chairman Dr Manish Uniyal demanded that chief minister Harish Rawat should intervene into this matter. He said, "The CM has given assurance to us four times and we have full faith in him. If Chief Minister maintains silence then it would be disappointing for them and injustice with the State as well," he said.

Joint secretary Dr Preeti Handa said that to finalise the eligibility of Professor qualification union government has constituted Nigvekar committee and now they may submit their report by December this year so state government should recruit PhD holders with condition. Stating that PhD holders are seeking opportunity not job, she reiterated that they would continue their fight. "We would go to any extent to save our dignity. There are several Government orders that have been made in a night and altered the law but for PhD degree holders state Government is taking cover behind the UGC regulation-2009. Now we would go on fast against this repressive act of the state government. Several PhD degree holders are educating students in several universities including Garhwal and Kumaon universities but Uttarakhand higher education department has closed the door for us," Handa added.