The evaluation of Plus II answer-sheets was affected for the fourth consecutive day on Thursday with the striking Block Grant College teachers refusing to cooperate in the process till their demands are fulfilled even as the Government only confined its act of only 'appealing' to the teachers to join duty without taking any concrete steps to break the stalemate.
A meeting convened by the Higher Education authorities to break the deadlockon Thursday remained inconclusive too.
Though the meeting was attended by Higher Education Minister Pradeep Panigrahy, Secretary and Director, the Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) Chairman at the Secretariat, it failed to resolve the impasse.
Panigrahy told reporters that the Government never stated that it would not abolish the Block Grant system and said it would take some time for its abolition, which is the major demand of the teachers.
“The Government is aware of the Block Grant system, and the Finance Department is considering a hike in grade pay of Group-D employees,” said Panigrahy.
However, the Minister claimed that the answer paper evaluation process is going on smoothly and around 50,000 answer-sheets have been assessed so far. He again appealed to the teachers to join evaluation duties.
“It is unfortunate that the teachers go on strike while discussion is on. The Government will take appropriate action at appropriate time,” the Minister cautioned.
On Thursday, the agitating 666 and 488 Category college teachers staged demonstration in front of evaluation centres highlighting their grievances.