Nagpur: The teachers of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) staged agitation at Samvidhan Square for pressing their various demands. The teachers, under banner of NMC’s Shikshak Sangh, are on hunger strike since September 4. The agitation will continue till September 6. The teachers had decided to boycott Teachers Day celebrations organised by the local body.
Rajesh Gaware, President of Shikshak Sangh, highlighted grievances of teachers including no publishing of seniority list, vacant posts of headmasters in primary and middle schools (25 posts are vacant in primary schools and 18 posts vacant in middle schools), non-payment of Sixth Pay Commission arrears, payment of dearness allowance pending since 70 months, regular salaries to the teachers even after implementation of Seventh Pay Commission etc.
Gaware further said that Education Department is pressurising us to attend the programme of September 5. Education Officer has issued directions to all the teachers to attend the function. NMC has organised felicitation of meritorious teachers on September 5 at Suresh Bhat Hall. However, Shikshak Sangh has decided to boycott the programme. “The teachers are deprived of promotions even after working for 24 years in the service. There is no promotion list of the teachers,” he added.
Around 43 teachers were on hunger strike on first day while 650 teachers were gathered to support them. The Janshakti Majdoor Sabha has extended support to the agitation of NMC teachers. The Sabha leader Harshal Hivarkhedkar lamented that the NMC is neglecting the demands of teachers pending since the past 12 years.
