KOHIMA, MAY 6 (MExN): SDEO offices of all the districts within Nagaland state remained paralysed due to the ongoing picketing by SSA teachers. A press note from the Nagaland SSA Teachers Association (NSSATA) stated that “so far the association have not been granted on any of their demands.”
It informed that the NSSATA and the government “could not come to the Negotiation table called by the government on May 6, as the request and demand for the withdrawal of Show Cause Notice (already replied), being served to the Association’s President and General Secretary, could not be revoked.” NSSATA further clarified that the letters submitted to Rahul Gandhi, dated March 27, 2014, “should not be politicized in any form as explained and apologized in the reply to the Show Cause Notice, dated April 28, 2014. “Despite our various representations and appeal letters submitted to the government and its implementing agencies, no transparent response could be obtained,” it stated. NSSATA added that instead, “it was claimed that the centre had not released the funds on time.” It clarified that as a result, the appeal letter was submitted not with any political motives but as an appeal for early release of the 2nd instalment (2013- 2014) and for the latter to appraise the matter to the MHRD for early release of the central share.
It then demanded that the Show Cause Notice served should be revoked before any negotiation with the NSSATA, “as it is directly connected with the pending salaries and arrears of 2013 – 2014.”
The NSSATA further reminded that the the Department of School Education, in an earlier press statement, had informed that “Rs.7.21 cr has been received on March 4, 2014 for the SSA teachers; which they have declared will be released for the salary of December 2013.” “Also in a press statement, dated May 3, 2014, the Finance Secretary stated that Rs.23 cr had been deposited by the State Mission Authority (SSA) to the State Government account to honour the salary of three months w.e.f. Dec 2013 to Feb 2014.”
It asserted that these statements clarify that a total of Rs.30.21 cr has been released. “According to the press statement as claimed by Department of School Education and Finance Department, the salary for the month of Dec 2013 has been sanctioned twice. Therefore, Rs.7.21 cr, which was earlier stated by the DOSE, should be for the salary of Dec 2013 and the Rs.23 cr received by the Finance Department from the State Mission Authority (SSA) should cover the salary for the months of Jan 2014 to March 2014,” it added.
As such, the NSSATA alleged that there is “mismanagement of funds” and resolved to continue the agitation until its demands are met.
