‘It is beyond our capacity to work without salary’

NSSATA begin second phase of agitation

KOHIMA, MARCH 23 (MExN): The Nagaland SSA Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) has reacted sharply to the statement issued by the Department of School Education (DSE), regarding demands made by the former. The NSSATA affirmed “not to accept any second party negotiating with the government on its behalf,” and further demanded that responsible authorities “solve the present issue at the earliest.” It further declared that the Association’s second phase of agitation, in the form of ‘indefinite boycott of classes,’ will start from March 23.

The NSSATA, in a press note, termed the DSE’s statement that “the actual pending salary for release was for the months of January and February, 2014 only” as “totally misleading.” It stated that “the actual pending dues are that of the salary from December 2013 to February 2014 and arrears of 2013.” Referring to the DSE’s statement that salary for December 2013 “is in the process of release,” the NSSATA termed it as “yet another dissatisfactory assurance.” “In the process, does not mean that it is released, which every literate person understands,” it said.

Stating that the Association has “received such assurances time and again,” it further informed that the salaries for January and February 2014, including arrears of 2013 are “still not under process” and “may then take months or even a year or two for its release.” It questioned the DSE as to whether “March 2014 is the right time for processing the salary of December 2013.”

The DSE had informed, in its earlier statement, that the State Government has released 100% of the State’s 10% share, which has been utilized for payment of salaries. To this, the Association queried, “Do you mean to justify that the state has done its part but the centre has not sanctioned enough? Or is the centre not in a position to make the sanction on time?” it posed.

The Association further demanded that the Government “stop new appointments/filling up the vacant posts of retiring state government teachers, to accommodate SSA teachers (2010-2013 batch) on the basis of seniority and merit.” It asserted that this is necessary to avoid “future inconveniences in the department, as the said category of teachers has to be absorbed sooner or later under the state government.”

It then informed that on March 13, the DSE had summoned the NSSATA “for negotiating on the recent development, with the conditions not befitting any of the demands put forward by the association.” As such, the association conveyed to the DSE officials that the stir would continue unless the demands are fulfilled with written assurances, it informed.

Stressing the association’s concern for the student community, it stated that its members had “patiently bore the untold hardships that it went through despite the continuous mismanagement and consequent irregular payment of dues.” It asked the DSE that “if they are truly concerned about the welfare of the students — why have they (DSE) not performed their duties for timely release of teachers’ dues, distribution of textbooks, uniforms etc.”

It added that the association was “disheartened” with the department’s statement that the issue faced by the SSA teachers was “an issue beyond the control of the State Government and the Department.” “Who is then, the responsible and competent authority to resolve the issue? Was it not the State Government and the concerned Department who signed the MoU in regards to the appointment and funding with the MHRD?” it questioned. NSSATA reminded the government that “It is also beyond our capacity to go and work empty stomach without salary.”