‘Not paid for nearly 5 months’

RMSA-2016 teachers demand immediate release of salary

Kohima, August 28 (MExN):  The RMSA-2016 batch teachers on August 28 said that they have not been paid for nearly 5 months and demanded immediate release of their salary.

“It is to be noted that the teachers have not been paid for nearly 5 months ever since the lockdown, despite serving numerous distinctive reminders through representations and appeals to the authority concerned,” a press statement from Amos Seb, Finance Secretary NRMSATA 2016 and Vitseituo, Kohima District Convenor NRMSATA 2016 stated.

While show cause notices have been widely published notifying the teachers to be at their posting places, “it is to be noted that the teachers also has a stomach to fill and it is not possible to discharge duties with an empty stomach,” the teachers stated.

“While everyone is hoarding essential commodities for survival, we the teachers are struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic,” they added.

They further highlighted the directive of the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench given on May 19 which cited “In case, the petitioners have any grievance they are given the liberty to come back before this court.”

The teachers questioned the authority and attitude of the Government and the Department by not following the Court’s direction in releasing the salary of the teachers whereas other batches of teachers under Samagra Shiksha(SS) have been paid.

“This is total discrimination on the part of the Government by sidelining a particular batch that have approached the court for their rights,” the teachers said and demanded immediate release of the pending salary without any delay “in order to avoid any further legal complications.”