Maharashtra government to act tough on striking teachers

Updated on: Saturday, May 11, 2013

The Maharashtra government on Friday hit back at striking teachers by announcing departmental action against them for interrupting the examination process even as the High Court delivered a verdict that ended the deadlock between the two sides. Reacting to the judgement, higher and technical education minister Rajesh Tope said the teachers would still be charged with misconduct under the Universities' Act and their salaries will be held back for the period they remained on strike.

"The court has supported the government's stand. This is what we have been trying to tell the teachers, but they took a stubborn stand and went on strike. Instead, students' interests should have been kept at the heart of this issue," he said.

The government will create a committee of public servants to look into grievances of similar nature in future in the next two months.

The high court rapped the state for delaying a decision on teachers' demands. Tope said the government will stick to its earlier stand of 'no work, no pay' and hold back salaries of at least 20% teachers who did not return to work despite government pleas.

The government said it would stick to its commitments and deliver pending arrears of Rs 1,520 crore by the end of July. Of the total dues, Rs 810 crore has already been paid.

The HC verdict was welcomed by members of the ABVP, which had filed a public interest litigation against university teachers last year. "We understand that teachers have been facing problems but the way they have held students to ransom every year, especially during examinations, is uncalled for," said Narendra Pathak, secretary, ABVP.

In a press conference held at the Marathi Patrakar Sangh on Friday, ABVP members appreciated the HC views "made keeping in mind students' needs".

"We request both the teachers as well as the government to set up a committee and find a solution to this problem. Teachers have been calling for strikes since 2009. Students suffer. This needs to stop."

Maharashtra government to act tough on striking teachers

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