Maharashtra Teachers protest govt order on pay panel. Strike may be called off soon.

The Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers' Organisations (MFUCTO) has said the teachers on strike will not accept the recent government resolution (GR) on the Sixth Pay Commission issued prior to a crucial meeting on thursday.

MFUCTO will hold a meeting with chief minister Ashok Chavan and higher education minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday, as the teachers' strike enters its 38th day.

MFUCTO president CR Sadasivan said: "MFUCTO is shocked to know that the higher and technical education department has gone ahead with the issuance of the GR even when negotiations with the chief minister have been going on. It could have waited for a few days till the meeting so that any understanding reached could have been incorporated.

"A clause says the GR is subject to the decision taken by the state on the scheme forwarded by government of India by its letter dated 31/12/2008. Unfortunately, these decisions are not within public knowledge."

View the Govt. Order.

He said important items such as the retirement age, pension, gratuity, leave and children's education were blank in the GR. He also pointed out that the GR says the state will pay the arrears after money comes from the Centre.

"The Central government and the UGC issued orders asking states to pay 40% of the arrears before March 31, 2009 and claim money in last financial year. They also said if extra payment is made, there is provision for recovery. Hence, the GR indicates that the state is not planning to pay arrears now," said Sadasivan.

Source : DNA.

The Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers' Organisation (MFUCTO) leaders are scheduled to meet state chief minister Ashok Chavan in Mumbai at 1 pm on Thursday to iron out' certain minor issues. "After the meeting, MFUCTO executive body will get together to take a call on the strike," said Atul Bagul, president, Poona University Teachers' Association (Puta).
Bagul said, "We have received the revised pay scale scheme and the same appears fairly okay. Although, a consensus eludes on the issue of national and state eligibility test (NET/SET) exemption for teachers appointed between 1991 and 1999."

With inputs from Times of India.