DTF extends support to non-teaching staff pen-down strike since December 4
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepur, December 13, 2024: The employees of the Education Department in Punjab working under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), have been on a pen-down strike since December 4, across the state, demanding their rightful benefits, including regularization, reversal of salary cuts, and increments and school operations came to a standstill
The Democratic Teachers' Front (DTF) Punjab, led by state president Vikram Dev Singh, has announced full support for the striking employees.
Addressing the situation, DTF Ferozepur district president Malkit Singh Haraj highlighted the frustration of employees compelled to take stringent steps due to unresolved issues despite repeated assurances. He noted that the employees held their eighth meeting with Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, who directed officials to resolve the issues within 15 days.
Haraj mentioned that on March 14, 2024, Punjab's Advocate General had already approved the regularization of employees, following the precedent set with 8,886 teachers. Despite this, bureaucratic hurdles continue to delay their confirmation in the department.
DTF leaders Amit Kumar and Gurvinder Singh Khosa criticized the state's bureaucracy, accusing officials of ignoring the decisions made during the March 2024 Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting. Despite three separate orders for implementing regularization and ending salary cuts, no action has been taken, leading to continued discontent among employees.
The leaders called on teachers in schools to support their striking colleagues by halting additional administrative tasks such as "APAR" work. APAR stands for Annual Performance Appraisal Report. It is a form that provides important information for an officer's development. The form is filled out by the Officer Reported Upon, the Reporting Authority, the Reviewing Authority, and the Accepting Authority. They emphasized that solidarity among all employees is crucial to pressurize the government to resolve these issues swiftly.
Key leaders and supporters, including Sarabjit Singh Bhavra, Swarn Singh Josan, Inder Singh Sandhu, and many others, attended the meeting, reiterating their commitment to stand with the striking employees until their demands are met.
The DTF vowed unwavering support to the ongoing struggle, ensuring that the fight for justice continues until the demands are fulfilled.