BG teachers slam Govt for doublespeak

The MG Road in the capital city on Wednesday was witness to same spectacles and same concerns.

About 30,000 Block Grant (BG) teachers under the fold of the All Odisha School College Teachers’ and Employees’ United Forum took out a massive rally and held a demonstration, protesting the callousness of the State Government.

Gathering at Master Canteen Square, the teachers from across the State proceeded towards the Assembly shouting slogans against the anti-education and anti-teacher policy of the Government. At the meeting, they leaders hit out at the Government for its double speaks and not translating its assurances into actions. They claimed that though they have been continuing their strike for nearly a month and boycotted the HSC and Plus II answer sheets evaluation, the Government continues to ignore their genuine demands and stays defiant.

Their main demands include full GIA with service conditions and pension, withdrawal of affidavit clause to receive GIA and extension of GIA to the teachers and employees covered under 2014 Government Order (GO). 

While braving the scorching sun, the agitating teachers from Block Grant high schools, 488 and 662 brand colleges squatted, at night they were lying on the street under the open sky. But then, the teachers in no uncertain terms stated that they would continue an indefinite dharana till the demands are met.

One of the forum leaders Prakash Mohanty said, “On Monday, we had a discussion with the Government side comprising the School and Mass Education and Higher Education Ministers, Secretaries of the two departments besides the Finance Secretary. However, they fulfilled one of our demands only, ie, extension of GIA to the teachers and employees under 2014 GO. Consequently, the Government has notified for GIA benefit to the beneficiaries under the 2014 GO on Monday. But other prime demands of the association like full GIA with service conditions and pension and affidavit withdrawal are yet to be met.”

Mohanty also threatened that if the State Government continues to show apathy, the association would shut down thousands of schools and colleges under Block Grant in the nook and corner of the State from July. 

Notably, the State Government is on the back foot due to the boycott of evaluation of the CHSE answer sheets by the Blodk Grant teachers under the 488 and 662 colleges as there have been lots of apprehensions over error free evaluation and timely declaration of results. These teachers are getting overwhelming supports for their cause from cross-sections of people, including students, guardians, members of the governing bodies of their colleges, common mass, besides several organisations and outfits like DSO and Kissan Sabha, etc.