Pay hike for state teachers

Deshmukh said that 35,901 teachers would benefit from this decision and the added annual burden on the state exchequer would be Rs 548 crore. The arrears till September 1998 would be added to the Provident Fund of the teachers while from October 1, 1998, the arrears would be paid in cash. From the year 2000, the Central grant to the University Grants Commission Scheme would be Rs 299.71 crore and hence the burden on the state exchequer would be Rs 129-130 crore.

Welcoming the announcement, the president of Maharashtra Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation MFUCTO, Prof C R Sadashivan said the burden on the state exchequer was due to the government dragging the issue for the last four years.

In another decision, the State Government has decided to raise the age limit for entrance examinations to the post of police sub-inspectors from 25 to 28 years in the general category and from 28 to 31 years in the reserved category.

Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal informed reporters after the weekly Cabinet meeting that the decision was taken following repeated requests from candidates to relax the age limit.

He said 673 lakh police personnel, up to the rank of Deputy Commissioner in 13 police training centres across the State, would be given a one-step promotion. As a result, the State exchequer would bear an annual burden of Rs 1.26 crore, he said.

The State Government has also decided to observe November 25, the death anniversary of Yashwantrao Chavan, as Yashwantrao Chavan Sanskriti Din.