Teachers ready for talks: JACTO

Hyderabad, Nov 1 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh's government school teachers, who are on strike since October 22, today offered to hold talks with the state government to settle the issue amicably.

The Joint Action Committee of Teachers Organisations (JACTO) offer came in the wake of a suggestion from the High Court to the striking teachers and the state government to resolve outstanding issues through talks as the stir would affect the future of large number of students.

JACTO leader and United Teachers Front General Secretary Narayana told UNI that the JACTO leaders, along with their family members, were holding demonstrations at all mandal and district headquarters to press their demands which included unified service rules, promotion and payment of two notional increment for apprentice teachers.

The deadlock between the two sides persists, with the government making it clear that it could not make any financial commitment till April 2009 while striking teachers pressing for promulgation of a Government Order, committing to provide two notional increments for apprentice teachers.

Meanwhile, tension prevailed in Srikakulam for some time when agitating teachers blocked State Revenue minister D Prasada Rao to press their demand and allowed the minister to go when he offered them a patient hearing and promised to take up their cause with Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

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