Members of the shiksha acharyas’ union took out a rally to the Chief Minister’s residence on Monday, demanding the State Government to provide them with the same status as that of shiksha mitras. They were, however, stopped by police at the Income Tax office near the State police headquarters. Earlier, the protesters had assembled at Parade Ground.
The administration made elaborate security arrangements in view of the rally to maintain peace. The policemen followed the agitators till they reached the Income Tax office where police had installed a barricade. They were stopped there as they tried to break the barricade to march ahead to the CM residence.
The agitators slammed the State Government for its indifferent attitude to their genuine demands. One of them said around 910 Shiksha Acharyas, appointed at EGS centres, should be incorporated in the cadre of Shiksha Mitras.
Earlier Shiksha Acharyas were appointed at these centres, but things were closed a few years ago, he said, adding that while some acharyas had been incorporated as Shiksha Mitras others were left out.
They had submitted a memorandum demanding redressal of their demand several times, they said, adding that they had got nothing except empty assurances from the State Government.
“We have been demanding our absorption in the Shiksha Mitras since 2008. But the Government has been sitting on it,” said Zail Singh Rawat, a protester.
Rawat said that with the EGS centres being shut in 2008, Shiksha Acharyas had been left jobless. “In order to adjust the Shiksha Acharyas as Shiksha Mitiras, the Government had passed an order in 2010, calling for absorption of the Shiksha Acharyas in the Shiksha Mitra cadre. They were to be absorbed according to the reservation policy, seniority and qualification of the Shiksha Acharyas. But the Government did not absorb all Shiksha Acharyas, especially those who were not able to complete their graduation by 2010,” he added.
He said they were demanding that the remaining Shiksha Acharyas who had completed their graduation after 2008 be absorbed.