Teachers to continue stir till meeting with CM

Tribune News Service
Patiala, February 11

Not satisfied with the assurance of a meeting with Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, schoolteachers have decided to continue their stir. 

They said the scheduled meeting with the CM on February 28 reflected the dilly-dallying attitude of the government. Therefore, the teachers have now decided to boycott the government’s pet project, ‘Padho Punjab, Padhao Punjab”, until the meeting with the CM takes place. 

Davinder Punia, co-convener, Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha, said, “In the past, the CM did not meet us even after promising it many a time. Therefore, we have decided to continue our stir until the meeting materialises.”

 On Sunday evening, after the announcement of a meeting with the CM on February 28, the teachers had decided to wind up the stir. 

Moreover, as part of their agitation, the teachers have decided to show black flags to the Education Secretary at all his public appearances. The teachers said Education Secretary Krishan Kumar misguided the Cabinet. 

Bhupinder Singh, a contractual teacher, said, “Firstly, he (Krishan Kumar) misinformed the Cabinet, saying 94 per cent of the teachers were ready to accept the government’s offer. Secondly, he lied about the delay in MHRD funds.”

The teachers added they would burn an effigy of the state government at the district-level for not heeding to their demands.

Gagan Ranu, a union leader, said, “We will be holding regular protests until our demands are met. The government has already backtracked from it promises.