EMN
DIMAPUR, MAY 6
SUB-divisional education offices in the state stayed off from work as ‘SSA teachers’ continued their picketing for the fifth day on Tuesday. The teachers, appointed under the elementary education project Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, have been protesting against the government’s delaying their salaries. The teachers have said the show-cause notice issued to the group’s leaders must be revoked before any dialogue to resolving the issue takes place.
“So far the association has not been granted on any of their demands. The Nagaland SSA Teachers’ Association and government could not, come to the negotiation table called by the government on 6th May 2014 as the request and demand for the withdrawal of Show Cause Notice (already replied) being served to the association’s president and general secretary could not be revoked,” the NSSATA stated in a press release Tuesday. The NSSATA clarified that the letters submitted to Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi should not be politicised in any form.“Despite our various representations and appeal letters submitted to the government and its implementing agencies, no transparent response could be obtained rather it was claimed that the Centre had not released the funds on time. As a result, the appeal letter was submitted not with any political motives but it was submitted as an appeal for early release of the 2nd instalment (2013- 2014) and for the latter to appraise the matter to the MHRD for early release of the central share,” the teachers stated. The association has demanded that the government revoke the show cause notices before any negotiation with the NSSATA as they are connected with pending salaries and arrears.
The NSSATA also noted the School Education department’s press statement on March 13 that an amount of Rs 7.21 crore was received on March 4 as the SSA teachers’ December 2013 salary.
