Bhubaneswar: Protesters gathered under the banner of Odisha State School, College Teachers and Employees Association (OSSCTEA) suspended their 21-day agitation following discussions with two ministers and assurances from the state government.
The association, however, made it clear that the protest was only suspended and could resume if its demands are not addressed within 15 days.
The decision was taken after the government assured the teachers that their demands would be resolved soon based on the A.K. Tripathy Committee reports.
The government reportedly received 79 reports of the A.K. Tripathy Committee, comprising 800 pages, on the demands raised by teachers.
Thousands of teachers and education-sector employees had been staging round-the-clock protest for 21 days over demands including pension and retirement benefits, grant-in-aid for 194 schools, filling up of vacant posts, 7th Pay Commission benefits, grade-pay discrepancies and increase in retirement age from 60 to 62 years.
On Saturday, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan met the protesting teachers at Gandhi Marg and assured them that the state government would thoroughly examine and resolve their issues.
Minister Suraj said the committee report concerning the teachers’ agitation has already been received by the government. He said 79 reports running to about 800 pages had reached the government and a decision would be taken soon.
He asked the protesters to send a representative delegation for detailed talks with the administration. Following the assurance, the organisations agreed to suspend the agitation till the Assembly session.
The association said that the government assured them that the issues would be addressed based on these reports. However, no permanent solution was announced.
The teachers made it clear that the teachers did not completely withdraw their agitation. They said that they will wait for the government to issue an official notification on fulfilling their demands.
The association warned that it will resume the agitation if its demands are not fulfilled within 15 days.