Agitating block grant teachers put their strike on hold

Agitating block grant school and college teachers today put on hold their indefinite strike till July 15 following Odisha government's assurance to look into their demands.

They also decided to join the Plus II answer paper evaluation duty.

The teachers have been demanding abolition of block grant system in which they get a consolidated amount without any allowances or other benefits. They want implementation of grant-in-aid system by which they would get basic pay, grade pay, increments etc.

Earlier in the day, representatives of All Odisha School-College Teachers and Employees' United Forum met Chief Secretary AP Padhi and their demands were discussed.

Padhi assured the Forum members that the state government would consider their demands within three months and requested them to withdraw the agitation.

The forum held its steering committee meeting soon after the meeting with the chief secretary and decided to put the strike on hold.

They also gave the government a two-month ultimatum for fulfilment of their demands, forum convenor Prakash Mohanty told reporters.

Mohanty said school teachers and lecturers will hit the streets again, if their demands are not met within the stipulated time period.

The teachers demand include issuance of a notification regarding withdrawal of a compulsory affidavit clause to avail grant-in-aid.

The chief secretary said, "The teachers body had a meeting with us, during which they placed their demands. We assured them to consider their demands and requested them to call off their agitation and they agreed."