Gana Sikshyaks stage demo protesting pay cut in Balasore

Balaosore: Hundreds of mass education teachers (Gana Sikhyaks) today staged a demonstration in front of the DPC office here today protesting slash in their salary.

Terming the decision of the government to cut their salaries as undemocratic, the teachers under the banner of Gana Sikhyaka Mahasangha sat on dharna demanding payback of the deductions.

“In 2013, the government had provided pending salaries as arrear from 2011-2013. However, suddenly the government is taking back the arrears from teachers in instalments. As a result, Rs 10,000 is being deducted from their salaries at a stretch," said Mahasangha president Sarat Nayak, who led the demonstration.

The teachers engaged in Sadar block get Rs 12,000 to Rs 14,000. But due to pay cut, they are left with only Rs 2,000- Rs 4,000 salary, said district secretary Ganga Narayan Padhee, adding, ''this is undemocratic.''

The body demanded that the pay cut be stopped and reimbursement of the deducted salaries done with immediate effect. The Gana Sikhyaks warned intensifying their stir and staging indefinite stir in 12 blocks of the district in coming days if their demands are not fulfilled at the earliest.