Students across universities in the State and especially in Jamshedpur can look forward for a smooth administrative works at colleges from Monday. The non-teaching staff across the State have decided to end strike on Sunday and have decided to work from Monday across the colleges in the State.
The non-teaching staff were on strike since February 19 and it is after three months of strike that they have agreed to get back to work. Students and teachers in colleges have heaved a sigh of relief.
"Yes after mutual understanding with our members across the state. We have decided to withdraw the agitation on Sunday and we would be back to our work from Monday as usual. We stand in favour of our demands. The Raj Bhawan has assured that it will take care of our demands,"said Vishambhar Yadav, zonal secretary of Jharkhand State University and College Employees’ Federation. “We are hopeful that the Governor will understand our problems however if immediate steps are not taken in this regard again we will go on indefinite and bring the education system at stand still,” he conceded.
It may be noted that the non-teaching staff of the university and colleges in Jharkhand went on strike twice in 2007 in support of their 20-point charter of demands, including hike in salary as per the Sixth Pay Commission and rising of retirement age. The academic scenario was badly affected due to strike. Peeved over ‘dilly dallying’ in implementing the demands by the successive State Governments, the non-teaching staff of university and colleges are pinning hopes on the Governor Syed Ahmed to redress their grievances.
The end of strike will ensure resumption in distribution of admission forms, filling up examination forms and other paper related work in colleges from tomorrow. The Raj Bhawan had already given an ultimatum to the agitators to return to work by 5 pm on May 17. The Raj Bhawan also said that action would be taken who did not join their office till 5 pm on May 17.
Recently the principal of the Jamshedpur Co-operative College had to take the help of the Bistupur police station as the non-teaching staff tried to hinder the work of form distribution. Police also had resort to mil lathi charge to control the situation.“ We are really happy that the staff have decided to return back to work. The process of the intermediate will also return back to normalcy and more and more students can enroll themselves,” said a principal.