CHANDIGARH: In response to the call given by the Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers’ Union (PCCTU) for a Total Education Bandh in Higher Education Institutions, the teachers of the D.A.V. Postgraduate College, Chandigarh continued to sit on a Dharna today on the fourth day in the college. The protesting teachers holding placards also marched towards the Matka Chowk to raise their voices and make people aware of the issues.
The demands of the teachers include implementation of UGC pay scales, due since Jan 2016, which have already been granted by all the states and UT’s across the nation. Revised pay commission grades have also been given to employees in Punjab and Chandigarh except for the university and college teachers. They have been protesting against the indifferent attitude of the Punjab Government and the Chandigarh Administration who have failed to address these and other crucial issues of Higher Education.
The teachers also oppose the decision of the Punjab government to delink their salaries from UGC pay scales. Sumit Goklaney, President DAVCTU said that the Punjab government is making a series of announcements but nothing has been done for the higher education and teaching fraternity. He also added that delinking will dismantle the public education sector in Punjab and commercialize education.