At the call of the 662 Category Colleges’ Association, all the 44 Block Grant colleges of Cuttack district have been locked up with all the employees rushing to the State capital to demonstrate in front of the Assembly to press their demands of converting 40 per cent block grant to full grant-in-aid.
According to members of the association, the employees of these colleges were eligible to receive only 40 per cent block grant since January 2009 in accordance with 2008 Government Order after working for more than two decades. But later in accordance with 2009 Government Order, 488 category college employees became eligible to get full Block Grant, the cause and principle best known to the Government, lamented the member.
Former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik had declared to release 1/3rd, 2/3rd and full GIA on 5th, 7th and 9th year of establishment of these colleges, but all remained in assurance only.
A leader of the association told that only bureaucrats playing mischief and interpret otherwise before the Chief Minister for which they are suffering out of their long standing demands. It is heard from a source that the Government has decided to enhance their payment to Rs 13,900 to which the association has refused. Unless and until their demands are met satisfactorily, they won’t open the colleges, said a principal of a college.
All the staffs of the colleges applied for mass casual leave at least for three days which is likely to enhance to participate in demonstration and rally before the Assembly until their demands are fulfilled.
On the other hand, the students of this category colleges suffer a lot and could not apply for any scholarship as the last date of application would expire on August 25.