Para teachers’ decision to abstain from election duties is likely to create problem in the upcoming general elections. The teachers who used to perform smaller duties such as screening of the eligible electorals, verifying the identification of the electorals and helping the voters in operating voting ballots have decided to abstain from taking part in the electoral processes in the upcoming election.
Samudayik Para Shikshak Sangh President Shamim Javed sharing the information said, “State Government has failed miserably to disburse our hard earned monthly salary from past six months. We have staged enormous demonstration across the state but to no avail. This time we have decided to maintain a distance from the poll duties unless our demand is addressed. We have also placed a letter for the same on election commissioner’s table stating it our demands and decision clearly.
As many as 87,000 Para teachers of the state are struggling to get their voices heard for over a period of six months. According to Para teacher associations members more than 50,000 Para teachers have been assigned the polling duties across the state.“Government has turned a deaf ear towards our demand, then why should we work for themIJ It is impossible for the election commission to conduct election without us. Unless we get our right we will not work for them,” said Gauri Jha an association member.
She further added that the Para teacher association has decided to write a letter to the election commission for the same.However, officials of the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) Office feigned ignorance on the matter. CEO of Jharkhand PK Jajoria said, “I am not aware about any such letter. let me check it out.” However, responding to the query how the commission will surrogate Para teachers duties Jajoria commented, “It will be too early for me to make any comment on this matter as list preparation work in entire district is still in process. Once the list is on my table then only further action can be decided.”
Additional CEO Himani Pandey said, “We have not received any complaints regarding shortage of manpower from any district. I don’t think that Para teacher’s decision will create much difference as only teachers have been assigned election duty. We are looking the matter and will take action accordingly.”