Odisha teachers take to Bhubaneswar streets over 'pending demands'

The teachers under the banner of the Joint Primary Teachers’ Association resorted to protest again in front of the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Wednesday demanding fulfilment of their various demands.

According to sources, the teachers have decided to continue their protest for an indefinite period until their demands, which include a grade pay of Rs 2800, six notional increments, and inclusion of the six-year contractual appointment tenure in the regular service period, are not met.  

The teachers’ association has also threatened to intensify the protest if their demands are not met at the earliest. The association has been protesting for the last six years over their demands, sources informed.

“We have been protesting for the last six years. We would like to request Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and School & Education Minister Sudam Marndi to fulfil our demands,” said Malay Kumar Jena, the convener of the association.

“Since 2017, we are protesting. The then minister Badri Narayan Patra had also given us a written assurance that our demand for Rs 2800 grade pay was under consideration. But, our demands are yet to be fulfilled.  We will continue our protest until our demands are not met,” said Sunil Kumar Pradhan, a protesting teacher.