Nikhil Utkal Primary Teachers’ Federation puts strike on hold till December 

The Nikhil Utkal Primary Teachers’ Federation has put its ongoing state-wide strike on hold till December 2023. The Federation on Saturday said it has taken this decision after its discussion with the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). 

At the meeting between the delegation of the federation and the CMO, demands like inclusion of ex-cadre teachers in the elementary cadre, hike of grade pay, formulation of service cadre for Art teachers and PETs, filling up of vacancies, and old pension system were discussed thoroughly. 

It is learned that the teachers were asked to wait till December. From this, it is speculated that the teachers may receive a gift in the New Year. After the meeting, the agitating teachers decided to put their strike on hold. 

Of the ten associations, nine took part in the meeting, while the Primary School Teachers’ Association (PISTA) did not join. PISTA also opposed the decision taken to put the strike on hold and the association's president, Brahmananda Moharana said that the next course of action will be decided at a meeting tomorrow. 

Notably, the Nikhil Utkal Primary Teachers’ Federation launched its cease-work strike on September 8. They had been staging dharna in front of the block education offices across the state.