Computer teachers from across Punjab to hold 'Mega Rally' at Khatkar Kalan on Sept 28
Parmod Bharti
Nawanshahr September 24, 2024: Computer teachers from across the state, who have been on a hunger strike in Sangrur since 1st September, are furious over their legitimate demands, including the merger under the Education Department and benefits from the Sixth Pay Commission.
Due to the Punjab government's apathy towards their demands, they have announced a mega rally on 28th September at Khatkar Kalan, on the birth anniversary of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh. Computer teachers from across the state, along with their families, will participate in the rally.
Computer teacher leaders, including Paramveer Singh Pammi, Johnny Singla, Pradeep Kumar Maluka, Nardeep Sharma, Ranjit Singh, Lakhwinder Singh, Gurbakhsh Lal, Jaspal, and Rajwant Kaur, stated that they have been fighting for their legitimate demands for the last 19 years, but neither the previous governments nor the current Punjab government has listened to them.
They pointed out that while Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and other leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, who used to criticize the Congress government over the teachers’ demands, are now ignoring them. According to the teachers, Chief Minister Mann has scheduled meetings with them about 30 times but has not met them even once.
The leaders announced that their struggle will now intensify, and the responsibility will lie with the state government.
As part of this struggle, the state-level mega rally on 28th September at Khatkar Kalan will see participation not only from computer teachers and their families but also from various employee and farmer organizations. At the rally, the teachers plan to confront the Chief Minister and remind him of the promises made during the elections.
The computer teachers clarified that they are not raising any new demands. They are asking for the restoration of all their rightful benefits, as outlined in the regular orders they received in 2011.
This includes the unconditional merger into the Education Department with the benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission. Furthermore, they demand financial assistance and government jobs for the families of computer teachers who have passed away during this period for any reason.
The leaders emphasized that their struggle will continue until all their demands are met unconditionally, and it will only intensify over time.