NSF, ENSF call for indefinite agitation over SSA and RMSA teachers issue

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 2 (EMN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) have unanimously decided to call for an ‘indefinite agitation’ from October 12, until their demand to mainstream SSA and RMSA teachers of 2010 and 2013 batches is met.

The federations said that they have also decided on the course of agitation but ‘want to keep it confidential for now’.

The two federations decided to call for an agitation following the expiry of the 30-day ultimatum that was served to the state government on September 2, to fulfil the agreement signed on July 12, 2018, between the School Education department and Nagaland Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (NSSATA).

Addressing a press conference on Friday, NSF president Ninoto Awomi said that the agreement was signed two years ago, between the state government and the association, in which it was agreed that the government would mainstream 2010 and 2013 batches of SSA and RMSA into the state cadre of School Education department.

Even after a lapse of two years and four months, the government is yet to ‘materialise the agreement’, he said.

The government had on September 23 replied to the 30-day ultimatum served by the two federations. ‘But the response given by the government is not satisfactory,’ according to Awomi.

‘Therefore, with no option left, the federations have decided to go for first phase agitation, which will be carried out in a few days’ time,’ he added.

“How long will the government of Nagaland take to materialise this? It’s already two years and four months and therefore we are not satisfied with the response of the government,” the president said.

‘We have jointly decided to go for indefinite agitation until our demands are fulfilled,’ he added. 

The federations, on their part, have been “very reasonable and giving co-operation”. However, considering the amount of time lapsed, ‘the government should also show its sincerity and materialise the agreement,’ he said.

The NSF president said that the response (letter) from the government was just “delay tactics being played by the government and we will not allow government to play delay tactics”.

He added that they are “very serious” about their ultimatum this time and the government should consider it.

ENSF president Sepili L Sangtam informed that the agreement was made in “sound mind” between the government and the association, to which NSF and ENSF were signatories. He added that the agreement was ‘not forceful’.

Sangtam said that the government was given enough space to work out the ‘mainstreaming agreement’.

‘However, we are not happy with the government for keeping the agreed agreement silently. The core demand of streamlining of SSA and RMSA teachers of 2010, 2013 batches, is yet to be fulfilled,’ he said.

“We are not happy with the government, the way they treat the agreement. Sufficient time was given to the government to work out,” he said.

According to him, both the federations have exercised maximum restraint. ‘However, for reasons best known to the government, they are still yet to fulfil the legitimate and genuine demand of RMSA and SSA teachers,’ he said.

Sangtam added that they were “completely unsatisfied” with the response of the state government.

 The department of School Education, in its response, had stated that the issue will be “taken up” in a joint meeting with the P&AR department and Finance department under the chairmanship of the chief secretary, on October 14. It also requested the two federations to withdraw the ultimatum served to the department.

‘The P&AR department to examine the seniority list submitted by the School Education department and accord necessary clearance,’ stated the government’s response letter, a copy of which was made available to media persons.

‘Finance department and School Education department to work out the detailed financial implication/budget on account of the mainstreaming, modalities of payment of salaries and adjustment of budget and indicate requirement; 75% of the vacancies of teachers occurring annually to be freezed till further orders,’ it stated.

Further, Cabinet memo to be submitted for formal mainstreaming of the SSA & RMSA teachers of 2010 & 2013 batches, it added.