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The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has recently made headlines for dismissing around 100 staffers, including both teaching faculty and non-teaching staff, across all of its four campuses. This decision was primarily driven by the lack of funds, as the Tata Education Trust, which is responsible for funding their salaries, failed to release the necessary financial support. The termination letters were issued to the affected employees on Friday, informing them that their contracts would not be renewed due to the non-receipt of the required funds. The dismissed staffers, who had dedicated years of service to TISS, were left in a state of uncertainty and distress, as they were not given any prior notice before being let go. The Progressive Students’ Forum at the institute expressed their disappointment in the current leadership of the TISS administration and criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Union government for its perceived apathy towards the situation. The impact of this mass staff reduction is not only felt by the employees who lost their jobs but also by the students and the future of the educational institution. The forum raised concerns about possible politically motivated appointments that might follow the lay-offs. The move to dismiss these contractual employees has raised questions about the stability and sustainability of TISS in the face of financial challenges. It remains to be seen how the institute will navigate through this crisis and whether alternative funding sources will be secured to prevent further staff reductions and maintain the quality of education and research at TISS.
