Srinagar, Sep 26: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday agreed to implement 7th pay commission recommendations for teachers recruited under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) scheme in the Education department following which teachers called off their strike.
The salary from the month of September will be released as per 7th Pay Commission recommendations, Advisor to Governor Khurshid Ganai told the teachers observing a sit-in at Press Enclave in Srinagar from past over 20 days.
It is in place to mention that SSA and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) teachers under the banner of Teachers Joint Action Committee (TJAC) were on indefinite hunger strike for the past 26 days under a makeshift tent at Pratap Park.
The protesting teachers could be seen sharing hugs and distributing sweets among each other after the Advisor Ganai appealed them to call of their strike.
The Advisor arrived at the venue this evening at 5 pm and offered juice to the protesting teachers who in return extended gratitude to him for resolving one of their main demands.
“I appealed them to call off their strike and resume their duties as the Governor has approved their demand of implementing 7th pay commission which will be implemented in favor of SSA and RMSA teachers from September month,” Advisor Ganai told reporters.
He also said that other demands including de-linking salaries with State budget will be implemented shortly after the Advisory Committee files its report before the Governor.
“They have no reason to continue the strike now, the financial burden that state witnessed was the reason for delay in implementing 7th pay commission, now things have been sorted out and the Governor himself has asked to file the report so that their other issues are also resolved,” he added.
TJAC president and senior trade union leader, Abdul Qayoom Wani extended gratitude to the Governor administration for fulfilling one of the main demands of teachers.
“We are satisfied and want to extend our gratitude to Governor Saty Pal Malik and his Advisor, Khursheed Ahmad Ganai for implementing 7th pay commission recommendations in favor of teachers,” Wani told ‘Kashmir Images’.
He hoped that Governor’s administration will also consider and subsequently fulfill other demands of teachers as per the commitment.
Read Also: Wani joins SSA, RMSA teachers’ hunger strike
Earlier, a delegation of agitating SSA teachers led by Abdul Qayoom Wani, President, Employees Joint Action Committee, met Governor Satya Pal Malik at the Raj Bhavan here today.
Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, Advisor to Governor, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Secretary School Education, G.N. Itoo, Director School Education Kashmir, Tufail Matoo, Project Director RMSA were present on the occasion.
The delegation requested Governor for inclusion of SSA teachers under the ambit of the 7th Pay Commission recommendations.
Taking note of their demand, Governor directed Ganai to take immediate further steps for implementation of 7th Pay Commission in favour of SSA teachers. He observed that teachers are the catalyst of progress for any society and urged them to always remain devoted towards imparting quality teaching and learning to children.
