Schoolteachers march against termination orders

Tribune News Service
Patiala, January 15

Following the termination of services of five leaders of the Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha on Tuesday morning, schoolteachers held a protest here this evening. 

Hundreds of SSA/RMSA teachers, led by state convener of the morcha, Davinder Punia, took out a protest march from Nehru Park near the local bus stand to Sherawalan Gate. They burnt the termination orders, along with an effigy of Education Minister OP Soni. They staged a dharna at Sherawan Gate for an hour in protest against the orders. 

They said the Education Minister had backtracked on his promises.

 The teachers said the termination would not halt their struggle for the regularisation of their services at full pay scale. Davinder Punia said, “Firstly, they did not fulfil their promises. Now, they have terminated services of the teachers. We want to warn the Education Minister and Education Secretary against such a move.” 

Gagan Ranu, a Sarv Siksha Abhiyan teacher, said, “Instead of cancelling the transfer orders, as promised by OP Soni, they have terminated services of the teachers. Moreover, we have not been paid salary for the past eight months.” 

They demanded that the cases against seven union leaders for protesting outside the Chief Minister’s residence be withdrawn immediately.   

MP flays decision

City MP Dr Dharamvira Gandhi and Punjab Manch leader Dr Jagjeet Cheema said the termination of services of five teachers was unjust and dictatorial. Gandhi said, “People of Punjab are not going to tolerate this undemocratic, shameful and egoist behaviour of the Punjab Government. The government will feel the heat in coming days.”