The Hindu : Front Page : School teachers call off strike

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Tuesday, Nov 04, 2008
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School teachers call off strike

Special Correspondent

—PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

ISSUE SETTLED: JACTO leaders raise hands in jubilation at the Secretariat on Monday. C. Damodar Rajanarsimha, Minister for School Education, is in the middle.

HYDERABAD: School teachers all over the State will join duty on Tuesday following an understanding reached between the Joint Action Committee of Teachers’ Organisations (JACTO) with Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on their demands.

However, three of the 22 constituent organisations of the JACTO resented what they called the “unjust settlement” and resolved to continue the strike that entered the 13th day on Monday. One of them is Telugu Nadu Upadhyaya Sangham affiliated to theTelugu Desam Party.

The impact of the continuance of the strike by the three outfits is expected to be negligible as a majority of the three lakh school teachers owe allegiance to the remaining 19 organisations.

JACTO leaders announced the decision to call off strike at a joint press conference with School Education Minister C. Damodar Rajanarsimha, citing a “firm assurance” given by the Chief Minister that the crucial demand concerning the 1.72 lakh apprentice teachers would be considered in a positive manner in the next budget.

They welcomed the Chief Minister’s decision to treat the strike period as a special leave and allow salary for the full month. Teacher MLCs, who mediated in the dispute and paved way for resumption of the talks, were also present.

Mr. Rajanarsimha said the timeframe for promotions and transfers of teachers would be announced before November 15. Similarly, unified service rules would be achieved soon, as a senior IAS officer had been appointed exclusively to expedite the process in Delhi. The Chief Minister referred to the issues relating to aided teachers, language pandits and appointments on compassionate grounds, to the Finance Department for a thorough examination. Leaders of United Teachers Federation (UTF), Democratic Teachers’ Federation and Upadhyaya Sangham, said the agreement was ‘unacceptable’ and alleged that the strike was called off without resolving any of the 12 demands.

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