PCCTU criticises govt for withholding grants, plans rally at Dirbha on Dec 12

The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) has announced a major protest rally at Dirbha, the constituency of Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, on December 12 against the continued failure of the Punjab Government to release long-pending salary grants to aided colleges.

The decision was taken on Tuesday by the local unit of the PCCTU at DAV College, Amritsar, where members held a demonstration, expressing strong resentment over the government’s apathetic attitude, which has pushed teachers and employees of aided colleges into severe financial uncertainty. Teachers in aided schools and colleges have not received full salaries for the last few months due to the state government’s failure to release salary grants under the grant-in-aid scheme.

Addressing mediapersons, Dr Vikas Bhardwaj, president of the DAV PCCTU unit, said it was extremely unfortunate that the Finance Department, despite repeated reminders and assurances, had ignored the legitimate dues of aided college employees. He said teachers, who are shaping the future of Punjab, were being compelled to agitate for their own salaries, which he described as both painful and unjust.

Ashu Vij, a teacher at DAV College, said the government’s apathy had crossed all limits, and the delay in releasing salary grants amounted to mental harassment of teachers. “We have been left with no option but to protest and take on the government for backtracking on its promises. Three years is enough time to plan and implement the proposed promises in reality,” he said.

Dr Vikram Chaudhary, another protesting teacher, highlighted that aided colleges play a crucial role in Punjab’s higher education system, particularly in serving students from rural and economically weaker sections, and warned that continued neglect would seriously harm the education system.

The non-release of grants has disrupted the financial planning of staff members and caused avoidable stress amid rising living costs.

The local unit reiterated its firm resolve to participate actively in the Dirbha rally on December 12 and appealed to the Punjab Government to release the pending salary grants without further delay.