No decision in Cabinet meetings, teachers to continue protests

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 18

College and university teachers on Saturday announced to continue with their stir as the government failed to arrive at a decision regarding their demands in its Cabinet Meetings. Teachers working in universities, government and private colleges in state have been following the mandate given by the PFUCTO and PCCTU to suspend all type of teaching and academic work in their respective institutions and the call for education bandh has now in its third week. Today, the district units of the PFUCTO and other teacher unions, raised questions on the intention of the government on the issue. “Despite assurances and two Cabinet meeting held in previous week, the government has failed to reach a decision on the issue of implementation of the 7th Pay Commission,” said Dr BB Yadav, area secretary, GNDU.

“If the Cabinet meetings are turning to be fruitless, despite formation of a committee and long discussions held with the government representatives, this shows that the government is least concerned about the teachers and status of higher education in the state. Even after several assurances, no outcome has been achieved. For the past 14 days, we are staging protest against government policies, but of no use,” he added.

District president, PFUCTO, Dr Gurdas Singh Sekhon, said the teachers are in no mood to back down. “The issue of delinking of UGC is of grave importance and can set a dangerous precedent for higher education in the state. This attitude of the state government is extremely irresponsible. The CM has been on an announcement-making marathon and only concerned about vote bank politics. We will consider lobbying for another round of meetings scheduled for Wednesday, after which we will move to Delhi if our demands are not considered,” he said.