Speakers asks govt to discuss with agitating teachers

In a major breakthrough to the 27-day-old teachers stir in Odisha, state assembly Speaker P K Amat Tuesday asked the state government to hold discussion with them and resolve the issue.

Amat's ruling came following a series of adjournments after the opposition Congress and BJP members created a ruckus in the house accusing the state government of turning a deaf ear to the teachers plights.

About 50,000 block grant school and colleges teachers in 4000 schools and 1500 colleges under the banner of Odisha School College Teachers and Employees United Forum, have been staging protest since August 16.

Among others, they are demanding revision in the newly implemented grant-in-aid system which the state government introduced after abolishing the block grant system in October last year.

The teachers issue was raised in the assembly during an adjournment motion discussion where Congress and BJP members came down heavily on the state government for not even holding talks with the agitating teachers.

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress suggested that the speaker convene an all-party meeting to resolve the issue.

He said the future of about 30 lakh students has become uncertain because of the teachers long agitation.

"If you can announce a host of populist schemes, why the government cannot give good salary to teachers who help in upkeeping fundamental rights of children," Mishra asked.

He sought a ruling from the Speaker to convene all party meeting for resolving the issue.

BJP legislature party leader K V Singhdeo also supported Mishra and demanded Speaker's intervention to resolve teachers issues.

As Amat preferred to go ahead with other businesses, the Congress and the BJP members trooped into well of the house and asked speaker to intervene.

During the din, the speaker concluded the discussion on the adjournment motion and adjourned the house till 3 pm.

When the House reassembled, the opposition again rushed to the well forcing the Speaker to again adjourn the proceeding for 30 minutes. After the same incident was repeated one more time, the speaker called an all-party meeting to the break the impasse in the House.

As per decision of the all-party meeting, Speaker asked School and Mass Education Minister B N Patra to hold talks with the agitating teachers.