Ludhiana, January 7
The indefinite strike by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) and the Punjab State Aided School Teachers and Other Employees Union seems to have fizzled out with the enforcement of the poll code coming into force in the state. Considering themselves "unlucky", the teaching community maintained that they had forgotten the issue for the time being as nothing could be done now. But they said if their demands were not considered by the next ruling party, be it the Congress or the SAD, they would continue their strike.
Talking to Ludhiana Tribune, Prof Kuldeep Singh, Area Secretary PCCTU said that it was the election time in the state and the union did not want to "unnecessarily harass" any political party. He said that ruling party had assured the college lecturers that they would be provided with the pension and gratuity benefits. He even said that an agreement on this had already been signed. "But with the announcement of Code of Conduct, nothing could be done", he said. He also said that presently, teachers were concentrating on providing quality education to students as their exams were proceeding.
The government's decision on the restoration of pension and gratuity benefits had been stalled.
A meeting of the executive committee of the union was held at Nauria Mal Jain School here yesterday which was attended by over 50 members of the union. The members decided not to ruin the career of thousands of students for their own interest. They said that they would do their best to solve the problems of students whose board exams were fast approaching. "But we will continue with our struggle till things are not sought out after the elections", said Mr Chopra.
The school and college teachers have been agitating for the restoration of pension and gratuity benefits for long. They put pressure on the government by organising indefinite strikes, protests, rallies and even jail bharo andolan in December but to no avail.
