Odisha Gana Sikshak Mahasangh postpones agitation

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Nov 27:

Odisha Gana Sikshak Mahasangh today postponed its agitation till third week of December following assurances from School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra.

The announcement came in the backdrop of a meeting held between representatives of Gana Sikshak Mahasangh and the Minister today.

“The Education Minister assured us to take a decision on the regularization of services of Gana Sikshaks by third week of December. We, on behalf of the Sangh, have accepted his proposal as a mark of respect to him. We do hereby postpone all forms of agitation including the December 7 agitation till third week of December,” said President of Gana Sikshak Mahasangha Sarat Chandra Nayak.

“However, if the government backs out from its promise, we would intensify our protests. Next time, each of the teachers would be on the street and we would gherao the residences of all seven ministers part of the inter-ministerial committee,” he added.

Earlier in the day, gana sikshaks protested in front of the residences of seven ministers this morning after talks regarding permanent employment failed between the representatives of teachers and the inter-ministerial committee last evening.

“The teachers are demanding regularization of their service and a hike in their pack package. The State Government has already set up an inter-ministerial committee to take a decision. The Advocate General has advised us to wait given the matter is subjudice,” said Minister Mishra.

It is important to have view of the view of the Finance Department to learn if the teachers’ demands can be accommodated. The next meeting of the inter-ministerial committee is scheduled on the third week of December where it will submit its recommendation to the government in this matter,” he added.

Notably, the State Government had formed an inter-ministerial committee of seven ministers to take a call on the permanent employment of the gana sikshaks. The committee had been asked to submit its report within three months. However, no decision has been taken yet even though three months time limit is over.