By IANS,
Shillong : More than 50,000 students across Meghalaya have been affected by the eight-day strike called by college teachers Friday to protest the state government’s failure to fulfil their demands.
Over 500 college teachers under the banner of the Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association (MCTA) have called the strike that will end Oct 1. There are over 60 colleges in the state, most of which have been affected by the strike.
MCTA is demanding an extension of the revised pay as recommended by the Meghalaya Fourth Pay Commission for teachers of seven ad-hoc colleges, the release of arrears for teachers of 15 deficit colleges and the release of 20 percent arrears for those who enjoy the University Grants Commission (UGC) pay scale, pension scheme and the reinstatement of all allowances.
“The government has forced us to resort to this strike for its double standards. We will continue with the strike to put pressure on the government to fulfil our demands,” Eureka Lyngdoh, the MCTA chief, told IANS.
However, Education Minister R.C. Laloo said the government has already issued an official notification to release the 20 percent arrears to the teachers.
“I have been attending to their duties (demands) ever since I took over the education portfolio. They should also think of the students,” Laloo said.
The Meghalaya College Principals’ Council (MCPC) has requested the teachers to withdraw the strike as students will bear the brunt.
“We want both the government and the teachers to sit across the table and resolve their issue amicable,” MCPC president Ioanis Warpakma said.