Teachers ignore ESMA warning,to go ahead with jail bharo plan

Agitating teachers from non-agricultural universities and affiliated colleges in Maharashtra have stuck to their decision to join a jail bharo agitation in support of their demands at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Friday notwithstanding government contemplating invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against them for boycotting the ongoing examination work.

Agitating teachers from non-agricultural universities and affiliated colleges in Maharashtra have stuck to their decision to join a jail bharo agitation in support of their demands at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Friday notwithstanding government contemplating invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against them for boycotting the ongoing examination work.

The State Cabinet on Wednesday decided to approve services of non-NET/SET teachers appointed between September 19,1991 and April 9,2000 subject to conditions,as a step towards fulfilling one of the major demands of teachers. Higher and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday also announced that the government was thinking of bringing teachers services under ESMA.

Shivaji Patil,president,Maharashtra Federation of College and University Teachers Organisation (MFUCTO) said his association has not received anything in writing regarding the Cabinet decision in favour of the agitating teachers. He said,The government is free to take any action against us,provided it has some locus standi. More than 45,000 teachers from eight state universities in the state have been boycotting exams,responding to a call by MFUCTO,since February 4.

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The State cabinet,while taking a decision on approval of services of non NET/SET teachers,has clarified that these teachers have to be appointed on regular basis and they would be entitled for benefits under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) after six years. The government has earmarked Rs 16.07 crore to bear the expenditure on CAS of newly appointednon NET/SET teachers , an official release said.

Besides exemption from NET/SET of teachers concerned,the MFUCTO has demanded release of sixth pay commission arears to teachers.

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