RPP demands immediate withdrawal of DoSE’s notification to teachers

September 29, 2023 15 Views No Comment

Dimapur, September 29 (MExN): The Rising People’s Party (RPP) today demanded the immediate withdrawal of notification issued by the Directorate of School Education (DoSE) concerning Rule 25 of the Nagaland Government Servant Conduct Rules, 1968 with regard to participation in ‘demonstrations and strikes.’

In a statement received here, the RPP charged the DoSE of “resorting to dirty tricks” to intimidate the teachers in the form of the said notification.

However, it is not surprising that notification was issued the backdrop of the All Nagaland School Teacher’s Association (ANSTA) and Nagaland Government Higher Secondary Schools’ Employee Association (NGHSSEA) calling for a pen-down strike for non-payment of salaries, it noted.

To this end, the RPP asserted that “demanding the release of salaries which is rightly due to the employees of this noble profession is not ‘Prejudicial to the Interest and Sovereignty of India’ as pointed out by the notification.”

It further demanded to know “which ‘highly-qualified officer’ in the DoSE felt the need to “Input” this highly objectionable notification subsequently signed by the Principal Director.”

Further alleging unprofessionalism and mismanagement, the RPP accused the DoSE of “misusing Rule 25” to strip the teachers of their last dignity and termed it “uncalled for and unethical.”

Meanwhile, the party highlighted the recurring issue where government teachers are compelled to plead with the state government year after year for the release of their salaries.

Teachers agitation have become the order of the day but instead of trying to resolve the issue through meaningful engagement and drastic overhaul of the department, the latest notification ordering the teachers not to make “any communication with the press” nor “call a public meeting to discuss their conditions” is highly insensitive and condemnable, it added.

It further wanted to know whether the officers and non-teaching staff of the directorate and district offices get their salaries on time. “And if yes, why this step motherly treatment toward the teaching staff?

Further citing sources in the directorate, the RPP claimed that teachers “will not receive salaries for the month of September nor for the next 6 months.”

“The state government is reminded that salary component of government employees are budgeted so the question of salary non-payment does not arise unless it has been siphoned off,” it asserted.

“In any case it has ample “Discretionary” funds at its disposal. So what is stopping the state government from paying the salaries of teachers?” RPP further posed.

The RPP also reminded the DoSe that there legal consequences for delayed/non-payment of salaries and wages, as per the Supreme Court’s observation.