Teachers association threaten nationwide protest in support of Punjab teachers

University and college teachers in Punjab are protesting demanding a revised pay scale in line with central institutions.

The All India Federation of University and College Teachers Organization (AIFUCTO) has lent its support to Punjab teachers demanding 7th pay scale. Teachers are protesting across the state demanding a revised pay scale in line with central institutions.

Yesterday, during one of the rallies of Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi in Sangrur,  a protesting teacher was caught by police in a chokehold, they covered his mouth to stop him from booing the state government, later he was dragged out of the rally.

The AIFUCTO has threatened nationwide protest in support of Punjab teachers for implementation 7th revised University Grants Commission pay scale. As per a statement issued by the association, it is seriously considering an All India Protest Program in support of Punjab University and College Teachers demand on the announcement of 7th Revised UGC scales of pay.

University and College teachers in Punjab are protesting for months for pay revision. “It is most unfortunate and matter of deep regret that in spite of month-long agitation by Punjab affiliates of AIFUCTO including indefinite Hunger Strike by its leadership, Government of Punjab is callous, indifferent, undemocratic and adamant to respond favourably to the genuine demands of the teachers,” reads a statement by AIFUCTO.

It has also been alleged that the state government trying to delink them from UGC scales of pay. It has stated: “It is to be noted here that the University and College Teachers of the country except the teachers of Punjab, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh have already availed the benefit of Revised 7th UGC scales of pay much before.”

As per the existing provisions implementation of UGC scales of pay in the state of Punjab is linked with the implementation in the state of Himachal Pradesh and Union Territory of Chandigarh.

AIFUCTO stands firmly with the agitating teachers of Punjab and calls upon all its affiliates across the country to express solidarity and send a telegram to the Chief Minister of Punjab to come with an immediate decision on the implementation of Revised UGC scales of pay.

“We hope the Government of Punjab will realize the gravity of the situation, respond favourably to the demands of Teachers for the announcement of Revised UGC scales of pay, failing which the statutory conference of AIFUCTO scheduled to be held on 7th January to 9th January 2022 will come out with an All India Protest Program in support of Punjab Teachers,” AIFUCTO states.

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