Newmai News Network
Imphal | November 20
Normal classes in government colleges across Manipur were suspended as teachers commenced their indefinite cease work strike on November 20. The teachers launched the cease work strike under the aegis of Federation of Government College Teachers’ Association (FEGOCTA). The Association launched the stir against the failure of the state government to implement the 7th University Grants Commission (UGC) Pay and Regulations 2018.
Informing the commencement of the cease work strike of the teachers, FEGOCTA general secretary Dr N Somorendro said that the stir of the teachers commenced on Wednesday, implementing the decision taken by a meeting of the executive committee of the teachers’ body on November 18.
Addressing a press conference at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Dr Somorendro announced that this time FEGOCTA will not retreat from its stir until the state government addresses the demands of the teachers.
He cautioned that teachers may be compelled to boycott the Bachelor Degree exams scheduled to be commenced from November 28 if the state government fails to address their demands before the commencement of the exams.
He also demanded that the state government take up steps to address their demands before academic atmosphere of the students is hit hard by the teacher’s strike.
Dr Somorendro further condemned the state government for its alleged dilly-delaying tactics, saying that whenever FEGOCTA pushes up its demands, the government is convincing the teachers by giving "false" assurances.
Failure on the part of the state government to address its demands, FEGOCTA was compelled to take the "harsher decision" even though the teachers’ body is not interested in launching strike that will disturb the academic atmospheres of the students, he also said.
FEGOCTA will also submit memorandums to the state chief minister and even to the Prime Minister of India if the concerned authority of the state government is not ready to address their demands.
He informed that Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) had issued an order on November 2, 2018, to chief secretaries of all the states asking that the pay of the teachers of universities and colleges be revised as per the 7th Pay structure.
"The ministry had also informed that the Central government will make 50% reimbursement to the state government towards arrears payment from January 1, 2016, to March 3, 2019," he added.
