Teachers in Assam Plan Indefinite Protest Over Salary Issues
Indefinite Sit-in Protest Announced
The Assam State Primary Teachers' Association protesting against irregular salary disbursement mechanism (Photo: AT)
Biswanath Chariali, Aug 7: The Assam State Primary Teachers' Association has declared an indefinite sit-in protest in Guwahati starting August 12. This action is aimed at addressing concerns regarding the salary disbursement process for Special Recruitment Drive (SRD) teachers who were regularized after their tenure under Samagra Shiksha.
This announcement follows a one-hour protest by SRD teachers in Biswanath, where they voiced their dissatisfaction over the government's decision to transition their salary payments from the FinAssam platform to the SNA-SPARSH module.
One teacher involved in the protest emphasized that their agitation is not merely about delayed payments but rather about the payment method and the future employment status of the teachers.
"After discussions with Education Minister Ranoj Pegu did not yield favorable outcomes, we decided to escalate our protests. The minister assured us that there are no issues with salary payments and that we might receive our salaries soon. However, today's protest is not focused on delays in salary," the teacher stated.
"We are demanding consistent and uninterrupted salary payments, not through the SNA portal. We fear that there is an intention to revert us to a contractual status. We left our previous jobs and joined the Directorate of Elementary Education, accepting a salary reduction of approximately Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,000 per month for the sake of our families' future security," the teacher added.
The protesting educators have also submitted memoranda to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Governor, the Union Education Minister, and Samagra Shiksha, Government of India.
"For the past month, we have been under the stress of census-related duties. Nearly 90% of teachers are in debt. We believe that only Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma can resolve this issue," the teacher remarked.
The association has warned that if the government does not retract its order promptly, around 300 teachers will initiate an indefinite sit-in protest in Guwahati starting August 12.
This protest follows a day after Education Minister Ranoj Pegu attempted to alleviate concerns regarding delayed salary payments and the employment status of SRD teachers after a meeting with the SRD Teachers' Welfare Forum and the Assam State Primary Teachers' Association.
"While there has been a minor delay this month, salaries will be disbursed as usual within the next few days. The delay is due to ongoing financial reforms in the treasury system," the minister stated via social media on Thursday.
Pegu also dismissed worries about any changes to the teachers' status as regular government employees.
"Previously, they received their salaries through district treasuries. Starting this month, their salaries will be processed through the Dispur Treasury. There is no alteration in their status as regular employees, nor in the budget from which their salaries are allocated," he explained.
The minister further assured that teachers would continue to receive all benefits associated with regular government employment and remain within the current financial management framework.
"They have completed their service under Samagra Shiksha and are now regular employees of the Assam Government. They will continue to receive all service benefits and entitlements available to regular employees. There is no cause for concern in this regard," Pegu affirmed.
He added that teachers would still access services through FinAssam, and salary bills, pay slips, and related processes would continue to be managed through this platform, with salaries being disbursed via the treasury system.