Hindi teachers affirm not to attend classes without pay

EMN Kohima, February 19 The All Nagaland Aggrieved Hindi Teachers Association (ANAHTA) while reiterating not to attend classes until their salaries for six months and arrears are released has threatened to ‘take the grievances to the next level’. In a letter addressed to the Director for School Education, ANAHTA convenor Keneikhrielie and general secretary Lanuinla Ao acknowledged the Department of School Education for release of pay and arrears of all CSS Hindi teachers, as per the provisions of the 6thROP, with effect from the date of joining. It has however said that the aggrieved teachers have suffered enough due to delay and latches caused by the Department while the brunt of non-payment of salary is borne not only by the teachers, but by the family members alike. “It is learnt that some members are receiving pay, but without arrears, which is not acceptable,” they said while requesting the Director DoSE to direct the District Sub-Division level officers to release pay with arrears to all aggrieved teachers within 7 days. “The non-release of salaries have landed many teachers in serious debt crisis for families’ daily survival, hence, release of salaries without arrears is unacceptable,” they remarked. Lamenting the warning served by the Director DoSE to take action on them for involvement in democratic agitation, ANAHTA said “it is at your behest and irregularities of your subordinate officers that our salaries are not released”. Expressing that shifting the official responsibility upon us (ANAHTA) is not sustainable,” they said, “if any disciplinary action is to be taken, it has to be the erring officials and not us.” “Should your esteems authority fail to direct your subordinate officers to release both pay and arrears to the aggrieved teachers within 7 days from February 18, we shall resort to agitation until our pay and arrears are released to us”, they said. ANAHTA leaders further expressed that it has become the usual practice of the Department to give them ‘few days’ assurance’ which gets stretched to weeks and months. Therefore, they said that the aggrieved Hindi teachers have decided not to attend classes until the six months pay and arrears with retrospective effect are released to them. “Only those teachers who have received pay and arrears shall attend regular classes,” they added.