Bhanjanagar: Demanding hike in salary of teaching and non-teaching staff of Kabi Samrat Upendra Bhanja (KSUB) College in Bhanjanagar of Ganjam district, a disabled staff, Ganesh Singh, working as Junior Clerk in the college is sitting on hunger strike since few days.
Singh alleged that he had been appointed by the Management Committee, in view of the staff shortage, in the year 1995. He was paid Rs 400 per month during his initial years and later it was raised to Rs 800 and Rs 1700 respectively. Facing difficulties to maintain family with such a low income he approached the management committee, District Collector and concerned department minister regularly with his allegation.
However, as no action was taken on this regard Singh sat on dharna inside the college premises. He even alleged that more than 22 employees of the college are also getting such low salary.
Talking to OTV Singh said, "We should get the amount of salary designated to respective posts as per the rules of the Odisha Government and the money collected from students by the management committee for our purpose should be utilised properly. We were earlier getting Rs 100 as yearly bonus that was stopped, it should also be paid."
On the other hand Principal of the college, Nilanchal Muni, said that the management committee will hold a discussion on the matter soon and will resolve it.
Talking to OTV he said, "It is an appointment done by management committee and the committee does not promise anyone that the salary will be hiked after some years but their salary is also decided by the government in a phase wise manner. I have talked with the President of the management committee on this matter, I have also talked with the concerned authorities to whom he had sent his grievance and they said to be aware of the situation."