Assam Teachers Demand Resolution for Pay Discrepancies Ahead of Budget Session
Financial Struggles of Assam's Secondary School Teachers
A teacher from School in Assam (Photo: @Samagra_Assam/X)
Mangaldai, June 20: A significant number of secondary school graduate teachers in Assam are grappling with a serious financial crisis, reportedly due to ongoing pay fixation discrepancies linked to the Assam Services (Revision of Pay) Rules, 2017 (ROP-2017).
This situation has sparked considerable discontent among educators in the state, who are now looking forward to the forthcoming Budget session of the Assam Assembly in July for a clear resolution.
As per a statement from the All Assam Secondary Graduate Teachers’ Forum (AASGTF), the root of the issue can be traced back to an oversight during the implementation of the 6th Pay Commission.
Previously, under the ROP-2010 regulations, the entry-level ‘Pay in Pay Band’ for graduate teachers was set at a higher rate of Rs 6,660 through a finance department memorandum (no. FPC.14/2010/7 dated 28.07.2010) to acknowledge their professional status.
Teachers who were appointed before March 17, 2017, successfully transitioned to a revised ROP-2017 Pay in Pay Band of Rs 18,440, resulting in a total basic pay of Rs 27,140.
In contrast, those hired after March 17, 2017, saw their initial pay defaulted to the minimum of Pay Band-2 at Rs 14,000, leading to a total basic pay of Rs 22,700.
This clerical error has resulted in an unjustifiable ‘pay cliff’ within the same group of teachers. The impacted educators are currently facing a basic pay shortfall of Rs 7,060 and a monthly salary loss of Rs 11,319, despite performing the same public duties.
In response to the situation, the AASGTF has prompted the state administration to expedite the evaluation process.
The Directorate of Secondary Education (DSE) has issued a statewide order requiring all regional school inspectors to compile detailed data and assess the financial implications of rectifying this issue by June 30, 2026.
Meanwhile, educators are hopeful for direct involvement from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu, and Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah regarding this matter.