Block grant teachers to agitate in panchayat level from today

Bhubaneswar: Teachers under the aegis of Odisha School and College Teachers' and Employees United Forum will take out rallies in all the panchayats across the State from today to intensify their ongoing agitation over fulfilment of various demands.

As per sources, thousands of teachers, intellectuals and common people would take part in the agitation and will stage protest in front of all panchayat-level government offices and take out rallies in all the villages.

Reportedly, the block grant teachers have been agitating since August 16 demanding removal of affidavit clause in the newly-announced grant-in-aid system, equal salary for equal work, provision of full aid, benefits of 7th pay Commission and several other service conditions.

After uproar over the ongoing teachers’ strike stalled the transactions during the Monsoon Session of Odisha Assembly repeatedly, Speaker P K Amat had asked the State Government to hold talks with the agitating teachers to resolve their issues.

Accordingly, an inter-ministerial committee meeting was held with the teachers under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera. However, as the meeting failed to yield any results and remained inconclusive, the agitating teachers decided to intensify the agitation and take out rallies at the panchayat level.

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Convenor of the agitating teacher’s body Pabitra Mahala informed that the protests will be intensified and rallies will be held in panchayat level from today.