College and university teaching staff to protest on Teacher’s Day

Accusing the Punjab government of having failed to address their grievances,university and college teachers will observe a strike and hold a mass rally in Chandigarh on Teacher’s day (September 5). The decision was taken at an executive committee of the Punjab Federation of University and College Teachers Organisations (PFUCTO) held at PAU Ludhiana on Saturday.

In a joint statement,Dr H S Kingra and Dr Jagwant Singh president and general secretary of PFUCTO said they have been constrained to give the call as the state government has completely failed to address the grievances of University and College teachers. Teachers are demanding release of UGC pay scale arrears,pension for staff of aided colleges under the act passed in 1999,full pension on completion of 20 years service based on the pattern followed by the Union government,filling up of large number of vacant teaching posts,enhancement of retirement age to 65 years,greater state funding for teaching and research in the university system,early promotions under career advancement scheme and filling of key posts.

The meeting also condemned the provisions of the National Council for Higher Education and Research (NCHER) and PFRDA that the teaching staff feel harm the interest of education and employees. PFUCTO has also decided to whole heartedly participate in the university and college teachers’ march to Parliament on August 26.