Patiala, 2 September:- Regarding the long-pending demands of teachers and employees of government-aided (Aided) schools in Punjab, Gurmeet Singh Madanipur, State President, and Sharanjit Singh Kadimajra, State General Secretary, of Punjab Aided School Teachers and Other Employees Union Punjab-1967, have announced that on 5 September, on the occasion of Teachers’ Day, a massive state-level protest sit-in will be held at 10 a.m. in Gambhirpur village (Anandpur Sahib–Nangal Road), the village of the Education Minister.
Giving further information in this regard, Aided School Union District President Ashwani Kumar Madan and District General Secretary Harvinder Pal said that the teachers and employees of Aided schools have been struggling for a long time for their legitimate and rightful demands, but unfortunately, during the last four and a half years, no proper solution to the problems of these employees has been provided by the Education Department and the Government.
They said that the Union has continuously brought the matter to the notice of the Government for the immediate release of the withheld salaries of teachers and employees, the issuance of PPOs of retired employees, the release of the outstanding arrears of the Sixth Pay Commission, and the immediate settlement of other pending demands. Despite this, due to the non-resolution of these demands, there is great resentment among the teachers and employees.
Ashwani Kumar Madan said that due to not receiving salaries for several months, teachers and employees are facing serious financial difficulties. It has become very difficult to meet the day-to-day household expenses, children’s education expenses and family responsibilities. He said that the fact that teachers and employees have to come out on the streets for their own rights raises serious questions about the functioning of the Government.
Harvinder Pal stated that, in accordance with the call given by State President Gurmeet Singh Madanipur and State General Secretary Sharanjit Singh Kadimajra, teachers and employees from across the State will participate in the protest sit-in on 5 September in large numbers. He said that every district will make complete preparations for the protest demonstration at its own level and will reach the protest sit-in.
He stated that during the protest demonstration, the colleagues will express their resentment against the Government by wearing black clothes and beating empty utensils. In addition, colleagues will participate in the protest sit-in carrying banners and placards related to demands such as “Release Salaries Immediately,” “Issue PPOs,” “Release Arrears Immediately,” and other demands.
Both district leaders appealed to all the teachers, employees and all Union colleagues of all Aided schools in Patiala district to reach Gambhirpur on 5 September at 10 a.m., in large numbers and on time, for the protection of their identity, rights and future.
They said that only through the unity of the Union and the strength of the struggle can the Government be compelled to accept the legitimate demands of the employees. Therefore, all colleagues have been appealed to not to show any kind of laxity and to make this historic protest demonstration completely successful.