Even as School and Mass Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra sought to end the deadlock in the Block Grant schools and colleges through talks, indicating a softening of stand by the Government, the latter in no uncertain terms said that there was no need of talk anymore and what they expected was a clear-cut decision on their demands. On Tuesday, the All Odisha School and College Teachers’ and Employees’ United Forum’s agitation reached its 27th day. The forum had held a huge demonstration and rally on August 16 beginning its agitation, demanding lifting of Block Grant, implantation of grant-in-aid (GIA), service conditions and pension.
Thousands of teachers and employees on September 5 had held the Teachers’ Day as black day by wearing black badge on the Mahatma Gandhi Marg under incessant rains and on September 6 and 7 had gheraoed the MLAs and Ministers.
Meanwhile, former BJD leader Baijayant Panda visited the agitating teachers in the city and expressed his support for their demands.
Forum leader Prakash Mohanty told The Pioneer that the teachers held demonstrations at different the blocks across the State on Tuesday. On asked about the sign of talks given by Minister Patra, he said that there was no formal invitation from the side of the Government till the report was filed.