Jharkhand teachers threaten resignation over new leave system

After doctors, the teachers of Jharkhand on Wednesday threatened mass resignation if the state government did not withdraw the new leave system.

As per the system, the doctors posted and teachers posted in rural areas will have to seek leave from 'mukhiyas' (village heads).

The mukhiyas have also been empowered to check their attendance.

The introduction of the new system has not gone well among the doctors and teachers.

Jharkhand Primary Teachers' Association on Wednesday threatened mass resignation if the system in not withdrawn.

"We have chalked out a phase-wise agitation against the system. We don't care whether we receive salary but we will not apply to mukhiyas for leave," said Arvind Singh, president of the teachers' association.

Around 25,000 teachers will gather here to protest the new leave system. If the state government forces us against our will, we will resign on a mass-scale, he said.

The teachers' association believes that the system will increase the political interference in the education system.

The doctors, too, on October 26 announced they would tender mass resignation on November 15 if the new system is not withdrawn.

November 15 is the day the state of Jharkhand came into being.

Police lodged FIRs against 200 doctors who were on their way to gheraoing Chief Minister Raghubar Das' residence on October 25. The doctors tried to break the barricade.

"No doctor will seek bail. If police want they can arrest doctors," said Bimlesh Singh, president of Jharkhand State Health Service Association.