Odishatv Bureau

Bhubaneswar: With the State’s block-grant teachers' stir entering the fifth day today, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan today met the agitating teachers and discussed their issues at the dharna place near PMG square here.

He urged the State government to intervene in the matter at the earliest to ensure a smooth academic system. "CM Naveen Patnaik needs to intervene in the matter failing which the education system will collapse in State," Pradhan said.

On the other hand School and Mass Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra said government's effort is on to resolve the teachers' issues. "The government wants to resolve the anomaly. The Chief Minister will decide on it after taking stock of the current financial status of the State," Patra added.

The Odisha School College United Teachers and Employees’ Association warned of a joint rally on August 22 to put forth their demands. The Odisha School College United Teachers and Employees’ Association is a union of Block Grant Lecturers and Employees Association of 488 Category Aided Colleges, All Odisha 662 (+2 and +3) Non-government Lecturers’ and Employees’ Association and Odisha School Teachers Association.

The teachers have been demanding abolition of the block grant system and implementation of grant-in-aid (GIA) irrespective of their categories and job benefits. Although they have been agitating for several years over the demands, the Government has paid no heed except hike in basic pay structure.

scrollToTop