CPI condemns HRD minister's attitude over agitating para teacher

Ranchi, Nov 10 (UNI) Condemning the 'apthetic' attitude of state's education minister Bandhu Tirkey over the agitating para teachers, the CPI today urged the government to hold talks to end the ongoing strike.

'' The education minister's statement of using ESMA against the agitating teachers is ridiculous. The law is used against black marketers and hoarders and not against teachers'', CPI state secretary J S Majumdar said.

Mr Majumdar said it was an attack on the democratic right to strike of the workers and employees and would not be tolerated.

The CPI leader said the government should immediately hold discussion with the leaders of para teachers association to settle their rightful claims.

The Education Minister last evening issued a warning to the agitators asking them to resume office by November 14. The minister said the government would either get the vacancies filled up by teachers placed in the second of the panel.

The minister in the past few days had been maintaining that the government was persuing their demand but the government would not give in to such pressure tactics as it was unconstitutional.

However, Chief Minister Shibu Soren expressed the hope that a solution would be arrived at soon.

About one lakh para teachers are on strike since November 1 demanding regularisation of their service.

The government earlier announced to hike the pay of the para teachers to Rs 5,000 but it was yet to be implemented, the agitators alleged.

UNI AM KK BDP AS1816