BHUBANESWAR: The block grant school and college teachers have taken to the streets again demanding abolition of the block grant system. On Wednesday, at least 30,000 teachers from across the State under the aegis of Odisha School College United Teachers and Employees’ Association took out a massive rally and began an indefinite agitation over the demand at PMG Square here.
While the teachers were marching towards the State Assembly to stage demonstration, they were stopped mid-way by police officers. Apart from seeking abolition of the block grant system, the teachers are demanding implementation of grant-in-aid (GIA) system irrespective of their categories and job benefits. Although they have been agitating for several years over the demands, the State Government has not paid any heed except for hiking their basic pay structure by 25 per cent last year and assuring them to implement 3 pc hike every year.
The agitators alleged that the block grant they get is lower than the salary of a State Government peon.
Pabitra Mahala, president of Block Grant Teachers’ Association, said earlier three associations protested separately over the same demands but they have now decided to fight for their rights unitedly. The Odisha School College United Teachers and Employees’ Association is an union of Block Grant Lecturers and Employees Association of 488 Category Aided Colleges, All Odisha 662 (+2 and +3) Non-government Lecturers’ and Employees’ Association and Odisha School Teachers Association.
The teachers said, they will continue their agitation till State Government agrees to all their demands. If required, all employees of block grant schools and colleges will join the agitation this week, Mahala said. As a result of the agitation, teaching in block grant aided schools and colleges were affected on the day. Around 80 per cent of schools in the State get block grant aid besides nearly 15,000 teachers and employees in the 662 and 488 aided colleges.
Sources said, lecturers of 488 Category Aided Colleges are only being paid a measly salary of `16,130 even though they have completed 15 to 25 years of uninterrupted services whereas those appointed under the State Service Selection Board recently are getting more than double the amount.