Odisha teachers, staff suspend stir after successful talks with govt

The Odisha School and College Teachers and Employees’ Coordination Committee on Friday decided to temporarily suspend its ongoing agitation following discussions with government representatives. 

The decision was taken after two MLAs, Babu Singh and Ashok Mohanty, met the protesting teachers and employees on behalf of the state government and held detailed discussions with their representatives.

Sources said the state government has sought a period of 15 days to address the issues raised by the agitating body. During this period, a formal meeting will be convened involving the concerned departmental minister, senior officials including the department secretary, and senior members of the coordination committee to discuss possible solutions to the demands.

“Odisha government, along with the Chief Minister, has taken the matter very seriously. I believe a solution will come out following a discussion,” MLA Singh said. 

The committee had been staging a sit-in protest for the past three days, pressing for the fulfillment of a five-point charter of demands. Teachers, lecturers, and non-teaching staff from schools and colleges across the state had participated in the agitation, seeking long-pending resolutions to their grievances.

After receiving assurances from the government regarding structured talks and a time-bound approach, the coordination committee decided to keep the agitation in abeyance. However, leaders of the committee made it clear that the suspension of the protest is temporary and conditional.

They warned that if the government fails to take concrete steps or hold meaningful discussions within the stipulated 15-day period, the agitation may be resumed in a stronger form. The development brought temporary relief to commuters and normalcy to the area where the protest was being held, while attention now shifts to the outcome of the proposed talks between the government and the teachers’ body.

Also Read: Internet ban extended for fifth time in Malkangiri; Odisha govt reviews situation

“We have decided to suspend the strike following the intervention of the Chief Minister, Education Minister and two MLAs,” said Ranjan Kumar Das, convenor, OSSTA.