Bhubaneswar: The block grant teachers today threatened the Odisha government to turn their strike into a state-wide agitation and ensure the ruling-BJD is voted out of power in 2019 general elections if their demands are not met.
The strike of the block grant teachers entered its sixth day today. Disappointed over the silence of the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD government, the teachers said that they had high hopes that the Chief Minister would listen to their demands after returning from New Delhi but are disappointed over his inaction.
"We have been sitting here for last six days but the government is yet to pay heed to our woes. We will not back down till our demands are fulfilled," said an agitating teacher.
“All the block grant schools are closed. We will talk with all the college and university authorities in the State and close all those educational institutions from next week. Students will also join us from next week. The government will face the consequences in 2019 elections for remaining apathetic towards our cause," said another teacher.
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Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today extended its support to the teachers and several senior leaders of the party joined the agitating teachers.
On the other hand, School and Mass Education minister Badri Narayan Patro said he is aware of the problems due to closure of schools. The government will sort out the issue soon, he added.
Earlier on August 18, thousands of teachers took out a rally at Lower PMG square in Bhubaneswar demanding fulfilment of a 11 –point charter of demands including abolition of the block grant system, equal salary for equal work, salary as per 7th Pay Commission recommendations, provision of full aid, government takeover of all aided schools amongst others.
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