Chennai: Citing the fact that one-member committee is looking into the issues of pay anomalies and a court case is pending on the same issue, school education minister K.A. Sengottaiyan appealed to the protesting secondary teachers to withdraw their fast here on Wednesday.
Alleging that the secondary teachers were instigated to protest, the minister said, “The teachers resorted to agitation without giving prior notice or seeking permission. Despite our talks, teachers are continuing their protest.”
Highlighting the various efforts taken by the government in addressing the pay anomalies he said, “The issue could be resolved only by the one member committee. Hence, the teachers should give up their protest.”
Secondary grade teachers alleged that those appointed after 2009 were given Rs 5,200 as basic pay whereas other secondary grade teachers with the same qualification are getting basic pay of Rs 8,370.Demanding equal pay, the teachers have been fasting from Monday. First, they were taken to Rajarathinam stadium in Egmore and later moved to a school in Nungambakkam.
On Wednesday, leaders including DMK working president M.K. Stalin have extended their support to the protesting teachers following which the minister has appealed to call off the protest.
