Odisha Govt To Take Action Against Agitating College Teachers, Staff

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Tuesday warned teachers and staff of all government and non-government aided colleges of strict action if found participating in agitations while on leave.

In a letter to the principals of the government and non-government aided colleges (488 and 662 categories), Education Secretary Saswat Mishra said that the teachers and staff can avail leave with the prior permission of the higher authority, but they cannot participate in the agitation during this period. The ‘no work, no pay’ rule will be applied to the teacher and staff if they go on leave without the sanction of the authority concerned, he said.

Any government college lecturer participating in an agitation will be asked for premature retirement from the service, while the affiliation of the non-government aided college will be withdrawn in such cases.

The principals of these colleges will be held responsible for granting the leave of the teachers to participate in the agitation, the letter stated.

The directive of the state government has come ahead of the indefinite agitation by the All Odisha Aided College (488-category) Teachers and Staff Association scheduled on February 20 at Gandhi Marg in Bhubaneswar.