Protest, black flags greet Punjab CM Channi at GNDU

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 6

Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s GNDU visit was greeted with protests and black flags as Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union members, who have been sitting on protest for the past four days, gathered and held demonstrations outside the GNDU main gate. The teachers from major colleges in the city gathered outside the university gates in the morning and also attempted to enter the university premises, but were prevented by the police personnel. Later, members of various unions, who came to protest at the back gate of the university, submitted memorandums to the police officers after assurances. The teachers are demanding implementation of the 7th Pay Commission wages and several other benefits and have announced indefinite strike across the state, suspending academic activity in colleges and universities.

Dharna outside CM’s residence tomorrow

Leaders of the aided school teachers and other employees union announced to join teachers from across the state to hold a rally outside Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi’s residence in Morinda on December 8. Sharing that they were disappointed by the government for not implementing the 6th Pay Commission, the union has given an ultimatum of two days to the government to work out a solution for resolving their issues.

Meanwhile, the CM inaugurated five academic chairs at GNDU. In his address, Channi said: “A new education model will be introduced by the government shortly which would focus on quality education for all. This will provide better opportunities to youth for employment, with an objective to retain youth in their homeland.”

GNDU will now have Dr BR Ambedkar Chair, Sant Kabir Chair, Bhai Jiwan Singh/ Bhai Jaita Ji Chair, Makhan Shah Lubana Chair & Bhagwan Valmiki Chair at the university. The grant for the chairs will be given by the state government. The CM said he is happy over the establishment of five prestigious chairs named after great personalities with the objective to carry forward the legacy of wisdom, truth, humanity and courage. He said our younger generation should know the great sacrifice and struggle made by our ancestors. “A sangeet academy in the name of eminent folk singer Gurmeet Bawa, who passed away recently, would be established shortly at the GNDU, CM added.

Deputy Speaker Ajaib Singh Bhatti, MP Gurjit Singh Aujla, Cabinet minister Rajkumar Verka, too were present at the ceremony.

While inaugurating these chairs, Channi said Punjab model of education will be based on equality and job oriented education for all. He shared that the state government has already decided to bail out universities from the fiscal crisis as grants have been given to Punjabi University, Patiala, and all requirements relating to grants will be provided to the GNDU as well as per demand.

Navjot Singh Sidhu, president, Punjab Pradesh Congress, in his address said as per the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev, sarbat da bhala and unity is the key mantra of success. He said Sant Kabir, Baba Sahib Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Bhai Jiwan Singh, Makhan Shah Lubana and Maharishi Valmiki are not religious personalities only but institutions themselves.

Rally planned in Education Minister’s constituency

The Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha, Punjab, (Joint Teachers’ Front) district unit announced to hold a massive rally in Education Minister Pargat Singh’s constituency on December 8 as he has failed to resolve the issue of their demands, despite repeated assurances. “The minister failed to address the issues of teachers. The Joint Teachers’ Front (JTF) held several meetings with him on the demands that include merger of the computer teachers in the department, the condition of 50 per cent should be removed, immediate regularisation of vacancies, cancellation of cases against teachers, clearing outstanding promotions of each category, etc.