DIMAPUR, JULY 13 (MExN): Distraught with the recurring non-payment of salary to Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) teachers, the All Nagaland School Teachers Association (ANSTA) on Wednesday put forward suggestions to Nagaland Government for due consideration.
The Association, in a press statement from its president Ponchulo Wanth and general secretary Visato Koso, suggested that to do away with the problem of pending salaries, the government should submit Utilization Certificate on time; remit State matching share in due time, salary component of teachers should not be diverted for other purpose.
Also maintaining that the government should accord top priority to teachers’ salaries, the Association further suggested that salary for teachers’ could be paid from the state resources before the funding agency release fund. On the non-release of 5/6 months salary to 623 RMSA and 1930 Hindi teachers, the Association asserted that none of the teachers wants to boycott classes or agitate against the authority since the teachers know their assigned responsibilities more than anyone else.
However, the Association rued that on many occasions, the deliberate negligence of government in attending the genuine problem of the teaching fraternity has compelled teachers to take the road of confrontation for which students are made to bear the brunt of agitation.
“Salary is the only source of livelihood for any categories of teacher be it general, CSS, Adhoc, fixed pay or vocational teachers. When salary is not released in due time, it directly affect the teachers putting their survival at stake. When the very survival is threatened, situation compels one to act in contrary to his/her professional ethics though it is difficult to swallow,” it maintained.
While asserting strongly on timely release of pending salaries, the Association also expressed regret that in the midst of its various activities for the common interest of teaching community, it might have overlooked certain section of teachers unknowingly.
In spite of certain technical failures and weaknesses, the Association vowed to work for the genuine cause of teachers of all categories as mentioned in the Constitution.
It has therefore urged upon to all categories of teachers to coordinate with the parent body and bring any genuine and realistic problem (s) to the Central body for redress.
