Shimla, Sept. 27 -- Pressing for their long pending demands, Himachal Pradesh University Teachers' Association (HPUTA) on Friday launched a 24-hour hunger strike and pressed for their long pending demands, including immediate release of the long-pending installment of DA for employees, the introduction of Child Care Leave for teachers, and restoration of promotions under CAS. The association also stated that the implementation of the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) for college and university teachers has been stalled due to a 2022 state government notification. While promotions are being processed smoothly across all other government departments, university and college teachers in Himachal Pradesh - including those at Himachal Pradesh University, Sardar Patel University, Himachal Pradesh Technical University, Forestry University, and Agricultural University Palampur - have not received a single promotion in the last four years. "This prolonged stagnation is not only causing academic harm but is also adversely affecting the ranking of universities in the state," the association said, Speaking to media, HPUTA president Nitin Vyas said: "We urge the state government to immediately fulfil the long-pending demands of teachers. If these issues are not resolved, the protests will intensify....