UGC Directs Central Universities to Recover Non-Productivity Linked Bonus from University Staff

All the central universities across the country have been directed by the University Grants Commission to recover non-productivity linked bonus for the past two fiscal (financial) years if already paid to employees. The UGC further directed the central universities to make bonus-related payment (if any), if not already paid. The central government is yet to take a final decision on bonus-related payment. Stating the same, the UGC has sent an official letter to all the central universities.

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According to the letter issued by UGC, if the varsity had already dispensed the bonus to their employees for the year 2016-17 and 2015-16, it must make the recoveries from the concerned employees. Similarly, the varsities have to pay the bonus to employees until the Government of India further extends it to the autonomous bodies. An official letter for the same was issued on October 18, 2017, where the UGC clarified that the government had not extended the ad-hoc bonus (non-productivity linked bonus) to employees of autonomous bodies.

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A member associated with the Academic Council of the University of Delhi pointed that these bonuses are highly beneficial for the non-teaching staff since the basic pay for them might not be high, to begin with. These bonuses are a boon to them, particularly during the festive season. Many of them use the bonus amount to buy winter clothes for their kids and satisfy other basic needs. He was of the opinion that the varsity might not be able to defy a direct order from the government.