Srinagar, Sep 26: The state government on Wednesday agreed to implement 7th pay commission for Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) teachers, who have been on a hunger strike since September 3.
As per official sources, the decision came after a meeting between Governor Satyapal Malik and Teachers Joint Action Committee (TJAC) President Abdul Quyoom Wani, Advisor Khurshid Ganaie, Secretary Education Department Ajeet Kumar Sahu and, Director SSA, RMSA and Director School Education Kashmir, G N Itoo.
Following the announcement by the Advisor, who visited the protesting teachers at Pratap Park here, they called off their hunger strike in both the divisions of the state.
Addressing the teachers, Ganaie said the implementation of 7th pay commission in favour of SSA teachers would begin from this month.
He said a committee has also been constituted to look into their other demands, which include delinking of salaries from MHRD.
“Government has considered all the aspects and agreed to implement the 7th pay commission from September. The demand was in our consideration for the last two months,” he said.
“Governor personally has sought the immediate report from the committee headed by Secretary Finance with Secretary Higher Education and Secretary School Education as its members,” Ganaie said.
The Advisor to Governor said the financial implications have been delaying the implementation of 7th pay commission for teachers till now.
“We had already constituted a committee headed by Financial Secretary and Secretary Education to find solution about tackling with these financial issues. But now we have reduced these implications and all the teachers should call off their strike now,” he said.
The teachers ended their hunger strike by accepting the water offered by the advisor.
President TJAC dedicated “the success” to “the dedication” of the protesting teachers.
“During the meeting the entire issue was discussed and we firmly put our point of view before the Governor that a part of our salaries are not being released. The meeting was a positive one and Governor finally announced about the implementation of 7th pay commission,” Abdul Qayoom Wani said.
“The committee will look into the 7th pay commission amount, which was not paid to us since its implementation in April. So, with this announcement, our hunger strike culminates today.”
“We are hopeful that rest of our legitimate demands will be also met,” Wani added.
The announcement has proved to be a breather for the teachers, who chanted slogans in favour of their association.
“It was discrimination with us. But with the effort of Qayoom sahib and teacher fraternity we have finally succeeded,” said Mushtaq Ahmad a teacher.
