The Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) will issue notices on Friday to lecturers who have boycotted II PU evaluation work, Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar said on Thursday.
Terming Wednesday’s offer from the State government to striking lecturers and principals as “final”, the Minister ruled out any further negotiations.
He also clarified that the government had no intentions to invoke ESMA (Essential Services Maintenance Act) if the lecturers failed to fall in line. He refused to elaborate an alternate plan if the lecturers refused to relent.
The lecturers have been given one round of increment along with the existing Rs. 500 ex gratia amount. This would cost the State exchequer Rs. 125 crore annually.
Meanwhile, despite the lecturers and principals rejecting the offer, Mr. Ratnakar said that a government order on the pay hike would be issued on Friday and would be reflected in the salary of lecturers and principals from June 1.
However, in defiance to the Minister’s threat, the State PU Lecturers’ Association, which has boycotted evaluation work for the past 10 days, said that they would continue with the hunger strike that began on Wednesday. A lecturers’ association representative said: “The least we want is the government gives us at least two increments. Then we will call off the strike.”
The lecturers’ association have been demanding an increase in basic pay — from Rs. 22,800 to Rs. 25,300 a month — based on the recommendation of the government-appointed Kumar Naik committee report.
