The State executive meeting of the Odisha Primary Teachers’ Association (OPTA) (Under New Pension Scheme) was held here on Sunday under the chairmanship of association president Brahamananda Moharana.
Moharana said that even if the Seventh Pay Commission report was implemented in the State in 2016, the Government is not providing house rent and 60 per cent of pending dues to primary teachers. The negligence of the Government towards the teachers is destroying the primary education system, he added. Even after 73 years of Independence, the Government has failed to provide adequate basic facilities like classrooms, toilets, playgrounds, office rooms, Moharana said.
He pointed out that the Government is providing uniform allowances to nurses, Ashakarmis, Anganwadi Workers and others. The Government has formed a dress code for teachers, yet no allowances for it is being provided to them. The members presented their demands which included payment of salary as per Central norms, house rent, uniform allowance and 60 per cent of pending dues.
The association threatened that it would take to the streets if the demands are not met soon. Among others, association general secretary Bibhu Prasad Sahu, joint secretary Praveen Kumar Das, treasurer Gopal Kishore Sen, Surendra Kumar Rout, Krushna Chandra Behera and Sudhansu Sekhar Nayak were present.