CM being misguided, say protesting teachers

Tribune News Service
Patiala, October 15

Hours after Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh said they (government) had given the best option to the agitating teachers, Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha members have decided to gherao the CM’s residence here on October 21. 

The union members said they had a lot of hope from the CM, but it seemed that Capt Amarinder Singh was being misguided by the Education Minister and Secretary, Education. 

Davinder Punia, convener, Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha, said, “Before the Assembly elections, the CM himself had agreed that our demands were genuine. But he is not being apprised properly by OP Soni and Krishan Kumar.”

Teachers said the justification given by the CM that the decision to regularise their services at a monthly salary of Rs 15,300 was the best one, considering the fiscal condition of the state, was misleading. 

The union members said the Congress government had promised it would spend 6 per cent of the state GDP on education. They said however, it had not been able to fulfil the promise. 

The teachers have also decided to hold pernoctation in front of the Education Minister’s residence on Tuesday night. 

Hardeep Todarpur, union leader, said: “We will continue to observe our indefinite strike. On October 21, we will march towards the CM’s residence. Nowhere the salaries of any cadre are being reduced by 75 per cent after putting so many years in service. It is demeaning to the teachers and education profession.”

On Monday morning, the condition of two of the 17 teachers, who were on fast unto death, deteriorated. The teachers were taken to Government Rajindra Hospital. 

One of the two teachers, however, again joined the protest in the evening. The health of Jaspreet Kaur is serious and is getting treatment in the hospital.