Orissa teachers to launch "satyagraha" before CM's residence

Bhubaneswar, Oct 12 (UNI) The All Orissa Government School Teachers' Union (AOGSTU) today threatened to launch ''satyagraha'' before Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's residence on October 15 if the government failed to implement the State Administrative Tribunal's (SAT) order on the appointment of Headmasters in High Schools.

The SAT, in its order on January one this year, had declared as invalid all the posts of headmasters appointed in violation of rules and directed to appoint the seniormost trained graduate teacher of a school with seven years of experience to hold the charge of the Headmaster until regular Headmasters were appointed.

AOGSTU general secretary Ramakanta Mohapatra told newspersons here that the union had resolved to agitate despite several requests through discussions and submission of memorandums to the authorities concerned, including the Governor and Chief Minister, as no action had been taken so far.

Mr Mohapatra said though the rule clearly provided that the posts of Headmasters of High Schools would be filled up on the seniority basis from among the trained graduate teachers with minimum seven years of experience, as many as 1,365 Headmasters had been appointed in clear violation of the rule.

He said however the High Court, the Supreme Court and the SAT, at different times, had declared the Headmasters not appointed as per rules as illegal, yet they were continuing in their posts, violating the court order.

Moreover, a move was on to promote some of these Headmasters to class two posts, he alleged.

Mr Mohapatra demanded justice for the teachers by ensuring implementation of the court order.

UNI