Massive Show of Strength by Teachers in Chandigarh: Administration Told Clearly—No More Promises, We Demand Our Rights

Massive Show of Strength by Teachers in Chandigarh: Administration Told Clearly—No More Promises, We Demand Our Rights

Teachers Raise Their Voice: If Demands Are Not Met, Agitation Will Be Intensified; Protest Resonates Up to Governor House

Chandigarh 4 September ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : On the call of the Joint Action Committee of Teachers, UT Chandigarh, teachers and employees held a massive show of strength at Sector-17 Parade Ground in support of their long-pending demands. The protest echoed strongly up to the Governor House.Senior office-bearers of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Chandigarh, along with BMS Organization Minister Niranjan Kumar, were specially present during the protest. He encouraged the protesters and expressed his firm commitment to supporting their legitimate demands.

Niranjan Kumar particularly emphasized the issue of regularisation of Guest and Contract Teachers and Employees, and urged the Administration to regularise those who have been rendering their services for many years at the earliest. He stated that keeping employees and teachers who have served for years in a state of continued uncertainty is neither fair nor justified. He also took serious note of the disputes and difficulties arising in relation to the leave benefits of regular teachers and demanded that these issues be resolved immediately so that teachers can receive their legitimate service and leave-related benefits. The protest received the support of the Chandigarh UT SS Federation, UT Cadre Educational Employees Union, Government Teacher Union, and Chandigarh City Beautiful Teachers Association.

The Joint Action Committee urged the Administration to immediately fulfil the following demands: 1. Half Pay Leave (HPL) due from 1 April 2022 should be restored/implemented. 2. Guest, Contract and SSA Teachers should be regularised in accordance with the applicable policy and judicial decisions. 3. The Recruitment Rules of UT Cadre teachers should be finalised and promotion opportunities should be provided. 4. CL, HPL, medical and CGHS facilities should be enhanced and implemented as applicable. 5. UT Cadre teachers should be promoted instead of filling posts through deputation. 6. Vice-Principal posts should be sanctioned and the Grade Pay anomaly of Principals should be resolved. 7. All pending benefits of teachers of the 2015 batch should be released. 8. Pending 58% and 60% DA for Guest and Contract Teachers, and 60% DA for SSA Teachers, should be released immediately.. 9. SSA Vocational Teachers, STT Teachers and Counsellors should be provided job security and 12 months' salary. 10. Vocational Teachers and Instructors should be provided maternity benefits and annual increments. 11. The salary of CRC and URC staff should be brought at par with TGT teachers. 12. The minimum salary of STC Teachers should be fixed at ₹21,000 per month. 13. In Aided Schools, the Grant-in-Aid Act and Rules should be implemented, ensuring proper service conditions, retirement age and other service benefits. 14. 50% reservation in government jobs should be provided for the citizens of Chandigarh. 15. The Finance Secretary should be repatriated to his parent cadre and a suitable UT Cadre IAS officer should be appointed in his place. 16. An independent inquiry should be conducted into the decisions taken and properties acquired during the tenure of the Finance Secretary.

JAC President Shri Ranbir Rana and General Secretary Shri Shiv Murat Yadav stated that this struggle is not against any particular individual, but is for justice, transparency, job security and the legitimate rights of teachers and employees. They warned that if the demands are not fulfilled at the earliest, the movement will be further intensified and expanded across a broader platform.