New Delhi: The long pending demand of college and university teachers to hike their pay scales will be taken into consideration very soon. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has appointed a panel to review the pay scales of teachers in universities and colleges.

The committee headed by Prof G.K. Chadha, member, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, will examine the present structure of emoluments and conditions of service of university and college teachers, librarians, physical education teachers and other academic staff.

The committee will review structure of emoluments taking into account the minimum qualifications, career advancement opportunities and the total packet of benefits available to the teachers, such as superannuation benefits, medical and housing facilities. The committee will present its report within one year.

The committee has also been asked to recommend the ways and means of attracting and retaining talented persons in the teaching profession as well as to encourage them for research work. The panel will study the various factors regulating the career advancement in teaching and other related activities in order to improve quality of higher education.

The other members of the committee are: Prof Atul Sharma, former VC, Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar, Prof G. Padmanaban, former director, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and Sudeep Banerjee, chancellor, National University for Educational Planning and Administration.