The Kolkata police on Monday detained government primary teachers for
protesting outside West Bengal assembly demanding revision in their pay
scale. The agitation took place a week after doctors call off strike in
the state. Earlier this month, the teachers had organised a similar
protest at Bikash Bhawan – the headquarter of the state education
department — over the same issue.
The agitating teachers had also sought an appointment with state
education minister Partha Chatterjee but failed to get an opportunity.
According to reports, the wage of the primary teachers was not revised
in the last eight years. The protest also took place in March when the
teachers were told that their demands would be heard after the
conclusion of the general elections.
Apart from teachers, other government employees are also angry with
Mamata Banerjee over their DA hike and pay scale. The anger was
reflected in the recently held Lok Sabha elections in which the
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to win 18 of 42 parliamentary
seats. Currently, the central government employees receive around 23 per
cent more dearness allowance than their counterparts in West Bengal.
On June 10, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said that the state
government would decide on DA only after getting the recommendations
from the Pay Commission. The Commission was constituted four years ago
in a bid to restructure the wages of the state government employees. The
commission headed by noted economist Professor Abhirup Sarkar was asked
to submit a report within six months. However, the commission is yet to
submit its report.
The state government also appointed Transport
minister Suvendu Adhikari to look into the demands and problems faced by
employees. The wearing away of votes among government staff is a
serious concern for the ruling Trinamool Congress as it faces civic bodies poll next year and Assembly polls in 2021.
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