SHIKSHAKARMIS, UNDER the aegis of the MP Shasakiya Shikshakarmi Sangh, are on warpath again with the association deciding to hold a major dharna on February 17 before the Vidhan Sabha to demand fulfilling of pending demands – mainly those regarding economic benefits.
Addressing a press conference here, State president of the Sangh Brajesh Sharma and convener Upendra Kaushal said if the Government was not going to revise their pay scales as demanded, it should at least come up with a special economic package during the budget session.
However, the major demand still remains about pay scale revision and orders regarding the remaining six demands approved by the State Cabinet, they said.
As the initial phase of the renewed agitation, association members staged a daylong fast before the bust of Mahatma Gandhi on the premises of the old assembly (Minto Hall). Shikshakarmis bearing allegiance to the association observed fast at all district headquarters.
Similarly on February 7, memorandums addressed to the Chief Minister would be submitted to district collectors in various districts.
Office-bearers of the association mentioned that while the State Government came out with orders on non-economic demands approved by Cabinet, it was yet to come out with orders on some major economic demands like hike in dearness allowance, pension, gratuity, increment for the shikshakarmis having B Ed and PTI degrees, allowance for handicapped shikshakarmis, increment for green card holder shikshakarmis and so on. The cabinet has already approved all these demands.
{{/usCountry}}Office-bearers of the association mentioned that while the State Government came out with orders on non-economic demands approved by Cabinet, it was yet to come out with orders on some major economic demands like hike in dearness allowance, pension, gratuity, increment for the shikshakarmis having B Ed and PTI degrees, allowance for handicapped shikshakarmis, increment for green card holder shikshakarmis and so on. The cabinet has already approved all these demands.
{{/usCountry}}Most importantly, the Government is saying nothing about the assurance of hike of about Rs 1,000 promised to the shikshakarmis following the month long strike in September last year, let alone the main demand of the shikshakarmis regarding equal work equal pay. Sharma and Kaushal mentioned shikshakarmis still get their monthly salaries after a lot of delay.