Affidavit Row: Mega teachers' rally in Bhubaneswar today

Bhubaneswar: Hundreds of teachers under the aegis of All Odisha School-College Teachers and Employees United Forum have decided to take out a mega rally in Bhubaneswar today after a discussion with the State government over fulfillment of their seven-point charter of demands remained inconclusive.

An inter-ministerial committee including ministers of School and Mass Education, Higher Education and Finance departments met representatives of the forum yesterday to discuss over their various demands including issuance of notification regarding withdrawal of the affidavit clause prescribed in the Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Policy-2017.

However, the forum decided to continue its agitation till the State government fulfills its previous promises.

"The government is yet to implement its earlier decisions taken in February 18 and March 30 meetings. The protest will continue till the government publicizes the outcome of today's discussion," said All Odisha School-College Teachers’ and Employees’ United Forum convener, Prakash Mohanty.

On the other hand School and Mass Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra said, "We have kept their demands under consideration and have asked the teachers to withdraw the agitation. While few of their demands are met one major demand needs further discussion."