Government teachers end dharna

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 12

The government Teachers Union Punjab ended its fortnight-long dharna and strike which began from February 5, here today after assurances from the District Education Officer (DEO), (primary) that their demands including release of pending salaries shall be met soon.

A dharna and hunger strike was being held in the district from February 5 onwards for the release of primary teachers that had not been given for the past three months, to ensure promotions of head teachers and to prevent the alleged corruption in the department, DEO (primary) Rampal today gave a written assurance to the teachers regarding the stalled promotions of head teachers within three weeks.

He also assured them that the pending salaries January shall also be released soon.

Speaking on the issue of corruption in the department, he said if someone submits a written complaint against a clerk, strict action would be initiated against the latter.

Meanwhile, the Leaders of Government Teachers Union, in the presence of the Punjab state advisor Karnail Singh Sandhu, decided to postpone the hunger strike and dharna for some time and suspended the dharna today.

The teachers warned that if the DEO (primary) failed to fulfill promise, the union would intensify its path of struggle.