The state government on Wednesday warned college teachers who have boycotted all exam-related work and are disrupting board exams that it would book them under the Essential Services and Maintenance Act (Esma) and cut salaries pro rata if they don’t get back to work immediately. The warning came after the state Cabinet decided to pay the arrears of the sixth pay commission in three instalments and regularise the appointment of 2,307 non-NET/SET-qualified teachers. The issue came up in Cabinet after the third-year Bachelor of Science practical exams got disrupted for the third day in a row.

Rajesh Tope, higher and technical education minister, said if teachers did not call off their stir, the government would direct the university and educational institutions to take action against them.

“We expect teachers to resume work and end students’ hardship. We will be left with no option but to impose Esma or take action under section 32(5) of the Maharashtra Universities Act [no work, no pay],” he said.

Tope said the state would take action against educational institutions that fail to crack down on their agitating employees.