Acknowledging the hard work put in by para teachers for imparting education across the State and at the same time putting an effort to end the strike going on for over a month, the State government today served them a 48-hour ultimatum to the agitating teachers to come to the discussion table by Wednesday, December 26 or face strict action. Human Resource Development Minister Neera Yadav and Secretary of School Education and Literacy department AP Singh today called a press conference to invite the protesting teachers for talks.
Addressing media persons on the occasion here on Monday HRD Minister Neera Yadav said that para teachers have been doing good work across the State and the Government has been sensitive towards them under the existing policies. “Whenever they protest and talks take place an assurance is given from both sides that the education of kids will not be disturbed again,” she said.
“Despite such a long protest we have been sensitive enough to talk to them. Before 2015 trained and TET passed teachers used to get Rs 8400 for class 6-8, which is now Rs 12000. Similarly, the remuneration for other categories of para teachers has also been increased under the set policies. The government is serious and want to give them benefits. We want to consider their concerns. If they want to continue imparting education and come back to mainstream the government may again think about their well being,” added Yadav.
“We are always ready for talks but they are not coming to the talking terms. If they come tomorrow we will talk and all legitimate demands will be considered. If that does not happen the government will have no option but to take stringent action against them in the interest of lakhs of people in the State,” said Yadav. Talks are the only remedy to the problem and we are ready to hold it with them, she added.
“The future of lakhs of school kids cannot be compromised with anymore. The protesting para teachers must come to talks else they will have to face action in order to secure the interests of the children of this State,” said the minister.
More than 67000 para-teachers of Jharkhand are on indefinite strike demanding pay hike and regularisation of service for over one and half months. After a brawl during the Foundation Day celebration of the State over 100 teachers were sent to jail. According to reports about a dozen para teachers have also lost their lives during the protests.