Chennai: Alleging that certain political parties were behind the agitation of the government employees and teachers, State Fisheries Minister D. Jayakumar strongly appealed to the striking members to have concern for students who are about to face examinations and the members of the public for whom the government is implementing numerous welfare programmes.
Reacting to the nearly week-long strike by the members of Joint Action Committee of Tamil Nadu Teachers Organisations and Government Employees Organisation (Jactto-Geo) Jayakumar told reporters here on Monday that despite the State government clearly explaining its financial position and the Madras high court directing the agitating members to return to work, he could not comprehend as to why they continued to agitate.
“Yes, there are some political parties behind this agitation,” the minister replied when asked if he saw any political backing to this prolonged agitation. He said, “The teachers should not make the future of students a question mark nor should the government employees jeopardise the prospects of the needy sections for whom the welfare programmes are targeted, and they must give up their stir.” He justified the government decision to appoint teachers on ad hoc basis to handle classes.
“We hope they would return to work. With the students about to face their crucial examinations, the teachers should consider the future of students, and come forward to discharge their duties. But if they continue to remain adamant, then they are only creating an inevitable situation for the government to toughen its stand,” he said. Wondering if schools can be run without teachers, he appealed to them not to be adamant and push the government to an extreme.
He denied that the government was issuing threats to anyone and asked, “Should we not administer? Who will handle the classes? Do you think media persons can be asked to teach lessons? … it is they who are issuing threats to the government. It is the people who are our masters.”
The Jactto-Geo members have been agitating for their demands that the government revert to the old pension scheme and pay parity for secondary grade school teachers on par with Central government teachers.
