Srinagar, September 3: Teachers Joint Action Committee (TJAC) headed by senior trade union leader, Abdul Qayoom Wani today began ‘indefinite’ hunger strike at Pratap Park to press for the demands of SSA and RMSA teachers.
Earlier in the day, hundreds of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) teachers on the call of (TJAC) held protest against the government for failing to fulfill their demands.
Pertinently, SSA and RMSA teachers have been hitting streets to press for their demands including implementation of seventh pay commission and de-linking salaries with state exchequer.
The slogan shouting teachers who had carried banners and placards in their hands reading “we want justice, implement 7th pay commission” threatened long term agitation if government fails to fulfill their genuine demands.
In this regard, senior trade union leader and EJAC President, Abdul Qayoom Wani alleged that government has been turning blind eye towards the issues SSA and RMSA teacher’s confront.
Wani said the teachers who have been protesting in support of the legitimate demands were forced to begin hunger strike as the government shows non-seriousness vis-à-vis resolving their pending issues.
“Police used force against them, they were detained. SSA RMSA Masters and Headmasters were denied of their rights, how long they tolerate injustice. Their only demand is to implement 7th pay commission and de-linking their salaries,” he added.
Wani said the hunger strike of SSA and RMSA teachers will continue at Pratap Park till government fulfills their demands.
Advisor Ganai appeals to teachers not to resort to extreme measures
SRINAGAR: Advisor to the Governor, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, who is also in-charge of Education Department, today made an appeal to the teachers to not to resort to extreme measures like hunger strikes as the Government has already constituted a Committee headed by Principal Secretary Finance to look into the grievances of teachers, in particular the SSA Teachers.
The Advisor said that despite budgetary constraints, the State Government is earnestly looking for a sustainable solution to the genuine demands of the teachers. He also said that teachers are among the most valuable assets of the society and their welfare is uppermost priority of the Government. He further said that due to the combined efforts of the government and the teachers, school education has reached the nook and corner of the state and children from all sections of the society were getting enrolled in the schools. He said that there is demand for quality education and therefore we need to redouble our efforts.
Ganai further appealed to the teachers to attend to their duties so that the day-to-day functioning of the schools especially the classwork and education of students does not suffer.
