No breakthrough as protesting computer teachers meet Cabinet sub-committee

A meeting of leaders of the protesting computer teachers with the Cabinet sub-committee remained inconclusive here today. Computer teachers have been observing relay fast since September 1 outside the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office complex in Sangrur.

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Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Education Secretary (Schools), Punjab, and six leaders of the agitating computer teachers, including Paramveer Singh, Pardeep Kumar Maluka, Rajwant Kaur and Jaspal Singh, attended in the meeting.

However, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema could not attend the meeting as he was out of the state.

Paramveer Singh, a leader of computer teachers, said, “There is great resentment among computer teachers as the meeting of their leaders with the Cabinet sub-committee today remained inconclusive.”

He said leaders of computer teachers were told by the minister and the Education Secretary that in the absence of Finance Minister at the meeting they were unable to take any decision regarding their demands. The protesters are demanding shifting of computer teachers from Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES) to the Education Department, implementation of the Sixth Pay Commission and financial assistance/government jobs on compassionate ground to family members of at least 100 deceased teachers.

Nardeep Sharma, district president, Computer Adhyapak Union, Sangrur, said due to delaying tactics of the state government they had been compelled to intensify their agitation. He said a large number of computer teachers from all parts of the state would gather on September 14 in front of the office of the Punjab School Education Board, Mohali, and hold a protest rally there. He said after the rally, they would hold a protest march and gherao the residence of Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann in Chandigarh.

Meanwhile, the relay fast by the members of the Computer Adhyapak Bhukh Hartal Sangharsh Committee, Punjab entered Day 12 outside the DC office complex here today. Five members of the sangharsh committee — Udham Singh Dogra, Varinder Singh, Biptan, Pardeep Kumar and Ajit Pal Singh — all from Hoshiarpur district, today observed relay fast. Besides, at least 40 computer teachers also took part in the agitation here today.