Teachers ready to accept regularisation at Rs 42,800

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 22

Relenting a little, leaders of the Sanjha Adhyapak Morcha on Monday said they were ready to accept regularisation of their services at the last withdrawn pay. Hardeep Todarpur, co-convener of the teachers’ body, said, “If the Chief Minister feels that the regularisation of services at full pay scale will burden the state exchequer, then we are ready to accept it at the last withdrawn pay, which is Rs 42,800, for three years.”

  The union leaders said at a meeting in July this year, the Education Minister had agreed to the same demand but backtracked later. “Moreover, at a meeting with higher officials on Sunday night, we were assured of some relief,” he added.

Though protesting teachers have said that they would intensify their stir if the meeting with the authorities on October 23 remained inconclusive, Davinder Singh Punia, union leader, said, “We will start a jail bharo andolan if nothing fruitful comes out of the meeting with Chief Principal Secretary Sudesh Kumar.”

Meanwhile, the Education Department has issued a warning, stating no case will be considered for regularisation after October 23, which is the last date to opt for it at a monthly salary of Rs 15,300. 

Reacting to the warning, Hardeep said, “In the notification issued by them, nowhere it is mentioned that cases for regularisation will not be accepted after October 23. The Secretary (Education) is befooling people.”