Teachers to continue with agitation till their demands are met

The agitating school and college block grant teachers today announced that the agitation will continue till a permanent solution is reached on their demands.

The teachers and employees of 4000 schools and 1500 colleges are sitting on dharna at the Mahatma Gandhi Marg here demanding fulfillment of their 7-point charter of demands since August 16.

The teachers under the aegis of All Odisha School- College Teachers and Employees United Forum have been demanding abolition of block grant, full grant without any conditions, service conditions, pension benefits and others.

Though the government last year announced to abolish the block grant form of salary payment for teachers and introduction of Grant-In-Aid (GIA) format, the teacher body alleged that the administration diluted the GIA policy and their demands are not fulfilled.

The ministerial-level meeting chaired by Finance minister S B Behera last evening discussed over teachers demands, but could not take any decision. The meeting remained inconclusive.

"The government is sympathetically considering demands of teachers. Another meeting of the committee will be convened soon," Behera said requesting the block grant teachers to withdraw their strike and join duties.

However, the agitators decided to continue their strike till the demands are met. "We will take a decision on August 24. We hope the government will fulfill our demands by then," said Golak Nayak, a teachers leader.

"The agitation will continue till a permanent solution is reached," said Pabitra Mahala, convener of the united forum.

Asked about studies of students, Nayak said: "Now our teachers are participating the dharna on rotation basis and some teachers are in schools and colleges.