In spite of assurances by the government that it has sufficient funds, more than 500 Hindi teachers have not been paid salaries for over nine months.
Speaking to HT, Didar Singh, state president, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and centrally-sponsored scheme (CSS) teachers union, said that the state government was harassign them, even as the Centre had mandated that they would be state government emplyees after three years of service.
Sonali Sharma, district president of the union, alleged that the salaries of the teachers under RMSA were increased and they had to pay Rs. 35,000 per teacher. "The funds of the same were released on Friday and only Rs 30,500 has been disbursed."
She also demanded six-months paid maternity leave must be granted to expectant teachers. The government allows three-months paid-leave to SSA and RMSA teachers and added that direct recruitment must be done, instead of on contract.
The union has decided to hold a peaceful march on March 24 in Ludhiana.