Teachers’ union to protest against state govt today

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 20

A large number of teachers associated with the Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha will stage a protest against the state government here on Sunday. The police have called for additional force from nearby districts to ensure no untoward incident takes place.

Upjit Singh Brar, state president, Government Aided Schools Progressive Front Punjab, said, “This is for the first time that the government instead of giving full pay scale to teachers wants to deduct their current earnings.”

“We support the teachers who are fighting for their rights and condemn the suspension of their colleagues,” said members of the teachers’ union in a statement here. 

They said the government wanted to withdraw their decision regarding the suspensions and pay scale reductions. If there seemed to be any financial crisis, then the government should reduce the salaries of consultants, OSDs, ministers and MLAs. 

The members appealed to all government and private unions to assemble under one flag and give their complete support to the agitators. “If we fail to stop the government from performing such unconstitutional practices then we would be facing higher critical damages,” said a release issued here.