RANCHI: Para-teachers in large numbers protested near the Vidhan Sabha on Monday seeking regularisation of services and pay hike, among others, in defiance of the state government’s diktat to abstain from the agitation.
Hundreds of para-teachers from Giridih, Ramgarh, Lohardaga, Deoghar and East Singhbhum districts held a meeting under the banner of Ekikrit Para Sikshak Sangharsh Morcha at a ground located 500 metres from the Vidhan Sabha. The agitation lasted for around six hours.
The para-teachers claimed that the JMM-Congress-RJD coalition had assured them that it would regularise their services after coming to power, but the government has not fulfilled its promise even after completing nearly 400 days in office.
A para-teacher, Cintu Singh, said, “The CM had promised to regularise our jobs within three months of coming to power. I wonder when will he fulfil his pledge.”
Another agitator, Sanjay Dubey, said, “The government should take a decision by March 19 or else the para-teachers would be forced to stage a bigger agitation. “
Bagodar MLA Binod Singh, who visited the agitation site, said he has talked to the chief minister regarding the demands of the para-teachers.
Para-teachers from different districts will take turns to agitate near the Vidhan Sabha from March 15 to 19.
Notably, the education department had issued a directive to district education officers to ensure attendance of all para-teachers in schools. It had stated that teachers remaining absent from duty would not get wages and disciplinary action might also be taken against them.