SSA teachers serve ultimatum to government

Dimapur, April 25 (EMN): Nagaland SSA Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) has served a seven-day ultimatum on the department of school education to implement 7 ROP with effect from January 2018, to pay salaries of SSA teachers (2010 and 2013) from state non-plan budget, and to release January to March 2018 salary with 7 ROP within seven days (excluding holidays) with effect from April 23. The association has warned of initiating democratic means/ mode of agitation if the government fails to address their demands within the stipulated period. In a representation to the principal secretary of school education, NSSATA has referred to their appointment letters vide order NO. EDS/SSA-CPA/009-2008) (I) and (II) and NO. DSE/RS/2011, which purportedly stated that they were appointed as regular state employees through advertisement NO. ED/ADMN/1/2009-10 and NO. ED/EXAM/2010-11 respectively through open recruitment. The representation also apprised that they would be endowed a scale pay and ‘with all other allowances/ rates prescribed by the government of Nagaland from time to time with effect from joining.’ Likewise, it added that SSA teachers appointed in the year 2010 and 2013 through the above mentioned orders and advertisements have been enjoying all other benefits as that of the regular state employees since the date of appointment. Besides, it added that deduction of 10% NPS of the total emolument, GIS and professional tax is also made regularly. It also made a mention on RTI No. SSA/NAGA/RTI 3/2010-2011 dated October 2013, where the department of school education clearly stated that the post creation “is not done by SSA, it is a government of Nagaland undertaking. Hence, teachers are appointed on a regular basis and their service is not co-terminus with SSA project,” which makes them regular state employees. Despite the facts mentioned above, it alleged that SSA 2010 and 2013 batch were being deprived of what was rightfully theirs. The representation appended jointly by the association’s president Penthungo Y Yanthan and the general secretary Vinoka Sohe warned that failure to address their demands within seven days (excluding holidays) with effect from April 23, the association would initiate democratic means/ mode of agitation. It further added that the government would solely be held responsible in the event of any untoward incidents during the time of their agitation.