Para-teachers' fast on 9th day, minister blames CPI(M) for

As the indefinite fast by para- teachers in West Bengal seeking a salary hike entered the ninth day on Saturday, Education Minister Partha Chatterjee put the onus of the impasse on the previous CPI(M)-led Left Front government for bringing the situation to such a pass.

Over 1,000 para-teachers, who are contractual teachers in government-run schools, are on a sit-in since November 11. At least 37 of the protesting teachers are on an indefinite hunger strike from November 15.

To a question by reporters about the continuing fast by the teachers, Chatterjee said, "We are sympathetic to the condition of the para-teachers. However, we can't bear the huge financial expenses, to be incurred if their salary has to be hiked further."