Teachers under the National Child labour Project (NClP) gheraoed the Gajapati district Collector office here on Monday protesting non-payment of their pending salaries.
Nekunj Behari Swain, one of the agitated teachers, warned that he would commit suicide if he does not get his 15-month pending salary within next five days. “It’s been 17 years I had been working as a teacher under the NClP, which got closed by the Centre last year. But, we have not received our salaries of 15 months”, he said.
The teacher further said he and his coworkers have taken loan to maintain their families. The district Collector and the NClP Director have been apprised of the matter. However, they are yet to get their salaries due to the apathetic attitude of the district administration and the NClP Director.
“Even the matter has been brought to the notice of the Chief Minister and the labor Commissioner but in vain. All our pleas have fallen to deaf ears,” lamented Swain, who warned to end his life if the concerned department does not release the salaries within five days and the Collector, DlO and NClP Director would be held responsible for this.
Among others, teachers Joel Raita, Prafula Paika, Kamala Bhuyan, Sunil Kumar Missal, Somnath Dal Behera, Gurunatha Bhuyan, Arjun Kingal joined the protest.