PUNE: Over 300 teachers of eight engineering institutes run by
Sinhgad Society in Pune protested on Monday morning over non-payment of their salaries for almost a year.
A teacher, who was part of the strike, said, "We have been paid basic salary since October 2016, that too after pleading with them several times. The dates of payment are irregular. This November's salary has not been paid at all. We are unable to work and want our salaries immediately in full. Only then will we resume teaching."
The basic salary amounts to only 40% of the monthly gross salary, the teachers said.
The strike took a toll on the students whose lectures were cancelled. The new term began on Monday. The striking teachers said they tended to exam duties as some students had exams on Monday.
"For one year, we were given only 40% salary and the institute kept promising to release the remaining once it got a grip over the financial situation. Two months ago, they stopped paying the basic salary," a teacher participating in the strike said.
A teacher said a week ago, the staff sent a letter to the principals of each of the eight colleges warning them of a strike and demanded their salaries.
Founder president of
Sinhgad Institutes Maruti Navale stated two reasons for holding up their salaries __ a delayed grant of Rs 138 crore from the social welfare department towards scholarship reimbursements and non-receipt of fees from students for 2017-18.
An official statement e-mailed through the institute spokesperson said, "Providing excellence in education has always been our motto for 25 years. We want to reassure you that we have had discussions with the involved parties and are confident of resolving the matter at the earliest."
The teaching staff has not been paid in full for a year
