Computer teachers’ relay fast continues at Sangrur

The relay fast by two members of the ‘Computer Adhyapak Union Punjab’ entered day 7 outside the DC office complex here today. They said in case their demands were not met by September 14, they may convert the relay fast into ‘fast-unto-death’ agitation.

The agitating computer teachers were adamant that they would not end their relay fast and agitation until the state government accepted their long-pending demands. The services of these computer teachers were regularised in 2011 under the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES).

The district president of the ‘Computer Teachers Union Punjab’, Nardeep Sharma, said they had been roaming from pillar to post for several years to get their demands accepted; however, no one has paid heed to their demands. He said the union had now decided to burn an effigy representing the Punjab Government in front of the residence of Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema in Sangrur tomorrow.

Their main demands were the shifting of computer teachers from PICTES into the Department of Education, Punjab; the implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission on the computer teachers; and financial assistance to the family members of about 100 deceased computer teachers, besides government jobs on compassionate ground.

It may be mentioned that two computer teachers have been observing relay fast for 24 hours daily outside the DC office complex here to compel the state government to accept their demands. The agitating computer teachers have been teaching in government schools for 19 years; however, they said all they have got were ‘false promises’ from the successive governments of different political parties.