CHENNAI: For the first time since the appointment, guest lecturers working in government colleges across Tamil Nadu will receive their April salary in May without delay.

Across 183 government arts and science colleges in the State, a total of 8,751 guest lecturers are working on a consolidated pay basis, drawing a salary of 30,000 per month. It is worth noting that, each academic year, the guest lecturers get salaries on time up to March. However, the April salary will be delayed and paid only at the beginning of the new academic year, often in June or July.

Despite being engaged in examination-related duties during May, guest lecturers have not been paid for that period in previous years.

Breaking from this long-standing trend, the Higher Education Department has now allocated the salary funds and issued orders that April salaries be paid in May itself.

Thangaraj, state president of the Tamil Nadu All Government College UGC Qualified Guest Lecturers Association, stated that the delay in April salary over the years has caused severe financial hardship. He noted that many lecturers struggled to meet family expenses during the summer vacation and faced difficulties in paying their children's school fees when schools reopened in June. He welcomed the government's decision, calling it a positive and much-needed step.

Sources within the Commissionerate for the Collegiate Education indicated that funds have already been allocated and that salaries are expected to be credited by May 5.