ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Jun 27:All Arunachal Saakshar Bharat Mission Employee Association (AASBMEA) today staged a 3-hour sit-in protest at Indira Gandhi Park, demanding state government to immediately resolve the problems being faced by SBM employees in the state.

Immediate release of salaries pending since last 21 months, effective implementation of equivalency programme in 1713 gram Panchayats and continuation of SBM employees in the mission, Regularization of SBM employees in the state and enhancement of honorarium were among their core demands.

A large number of SBM employees from 12 districts assembled in the Tennis court premises under the leadership of AAPSBMES state President, Tajub Kampong and raised slogans in support of their demands.

Addressing media persons, Spokesperson AAPSBMES, Karba Pale said that the dharna was organized to draw the attention of the government for settlement of their long pending demands.

Pale criticized the state government for not showing any compassion for the employees who have been serving with utmost sincerity in educating illiterates and dropouts in far flung areas.

‘We are contributing lots in development of education sector in the state and playing a key role in revamping the graphs of literacy rate of the state,’ he added citing that despite our contribution, the government is ignoring the proficiency of SBM employees.

Pale went to add that while the government is releasing the salaries of other teachers working under various flagship programs of the Centre, on other hand it is reluctant even to pay the meagre honorarium of Rs 2000 per Prerak ( per teacher) and Rs. 6000  to coordinators under the Mission.

Earlier, Education Minister and Chief Minister in a meeting had assured to clear our pending salaries, but till date not a single step was taken to resolve the grievances of SBM employees, which compelled us to take the step today, rued Pale.

Speaking on the occasion, President, AAPSBMES, Tajub Kampong  highlighted that out of 1713 SBM centers in the state, the central government has selected only 40 SBM centers from the state, where they are planning to depute trained teachers from outside in the mission, despite knowing that there are hundreds of qualified teachers available in the SBM also.

We are opposing the move, because the decision will discriminate other employees who have spent their eight years service for the mission after it was launched in 2009, added Tajub Kampong while requesting the central as well as state government not to treat SBM like orphans.

Kampung resented that despite submission of several memorandums to the government only assurances were received so far.

To mount more pressure, the SBM employees further threatened to launch series of movement against the government in the form of rallies, dharna and indefinite fast from next month, if the government fails to solve the issues within stipulated time.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List