Jalandhar: Members of the Joint Teachers’ Front and various teacher unions staged a protest at Gol Chowk here, accusing the Punjab government of ignoring their long-pending demands and resorting to “police repression” instead of ensuring service security to educators.
The protesters burnt symbolic effigies of the state government. The union leaders, who led the demonstration, alleged that the imposition of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), through the Supreme Court and at the behest of the Centre, was “unnecessary and unconstitutional”. They criticised the state government for failing to introduce a bill on service security during the ongoing budget session.
The leaders expressed resentment over the alleged failure of the government in filing a review petition in the Supreme Court.
They also condemned the use of water cannons and tear gas shells during previous protests, alleging that several teachers were injured in police action.
The union leaders pointed out that the notification regarding the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme remained partially implemented, while pending arrears related to pay revision, dearness allowance instalments and other financial benefits were yet to be cleared.
