All Arunachal Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers' Association threatens indefinite pen down strike

ITANAGAR: Even as the Arunachal Pradesh government has ordered to release one month's salary at enhanced rate to teachers serving under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the agitating teachers under the banner of All Arunachal Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers' Association (AASSATA) are adamant to go with its proposed indefinite pen down strike from tomorrow.

State Education Minister Bosiram Siram during a meeting with Arunachal Teachers' Association (ATA) and AASSATA yesterday has directed the SSA Rajya Mission to immediately release one month's salary at enhanced rate, official sources said here today.

Siram, during the meeting informed that the state government has released an amount of Rs 25 crore towards state share for receiving central grant under SSA last week basing on which the state would receive the central grants very shortly.

"As and when fund from the Center is received, the arrears along with enhanced salary till March 2012 will be released," he added.

The AASSATA had earlier given an ultimatum with 2 points demand which includes release of enhanced salary and regularization of 2003 batch SSA teachers at one go.

With regard to regularization of services, the minister has assured that he would personally lead a team of AASSATA to request the chief minister for creation of required number of posts so that the services of 2003 batch SSA teachers can be regularized at one go.

However, the association has refused to withdraw its proposed pen down strike saying that it would continue till its demands are fulfilled.