Odisha Assembly: Ruckus in House over teachers’ protest

Proceedings of the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday were adjourned after members of opposition created ruckus in the House over the ongoing protests by Joint Primary School Teacher’s Association and the All India Anganwadi Ladies Workers Association.

The opposition Congress and BJP members stormed into the well of the House and raised slogans against the ruling BJD-government.

Following the ruckus, Odisha Assembly Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha adjourned the proceedings of the House till 11:30am. Later, an all-party meeting was convened to resolve the impasse.

Targeting the state government over teachers’ protest, BJP chief whip Mohan Majhi said, “Schools are locked due to teachers' protest, but the School and Mass Education Minister is campaigning for Padampur ByElection."

Meanwhile, thousands of primary school teachers continued their protest at Lower PMG square in Bhubaneswar over fulfilment of their 3-point charter of demands.

The primary teachers have been on a dharna since the commencement of the winter session of Odisha Assembly. Their three-point demands include complete abolishment of contractual system in the state, increment in salary of teachers joined since 2001 and re-introduction of old pension system.

They have warned to continue the stir until all their demands are not met.

Similarly, the members of All Odisha Anganwadi Ladies Workers’ Association continued their protest  over the State government’s alleged inordinate delay in fulfilling their demands.

Their demands include government employee status, monthly pension of Rs 5,000 after retirement and compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of an Anganwadi worker in case of her death.

On the other hand, BJD MLA Sashi Bhushan Behera requested the agitating teachers to call off the protest. “The government is well aware of the plight of the teachers. So, I request them to call off the protest and return back to their homes,” he said.