Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 24
Several students’ organisations have condemned the they described as the State Government’s delay in implementing the Court’s directive on pay parity for the 2016 batch of RMSA Graduate Teachers, and have extended full support to the aggrieved teachers.
In a statement received here, the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) extended its full solidarity to the RMSA Teachers Association and urged the Government to prioritise the issue and implement the Court’s directives immediately.
Given the Gauhati High Court judgment in 2022 and its upholding by the Supreme Court on May 20, 2025, the demand for timely implementation of the prescribed pay scale has become urgent, added the AKM’s statement issued by President Lanutoshi Aier and General Secretary Satemmongba.
“Government High School exam results have been improving steadily, largely because of the hard work and dedication of these teachers. Yet, it is disheartening that many of them have not received their salaries since March 2025,” the statement observed.
Stating that the Court’s decision was an important step to ensure that teachers get the financial recognition they deserve for their service and role in shaping the future of students, the AKM maintained that the State Government must respect and act on this ruling without delay.
Echoing the same concern, the Ao Students’ Union Dimapur (ASUD) condemned what it termed a “deliberate delay” which, it said, “not only amounts to contempt of court but also reflects a disturbing disregard for teachers who have been faithfully serving since 2016.”
Terming the action “negligence,” the ASUD in a press release from its president Imnatemsu Pongen and general secretary Tongpangnechet Kichu extended full support to the teachers, and demanded immediate compliance with the Court’s order.
The Western Sümi Students’ Union (WSSU), in a statement issued by President Ikato Khulu and General Secretary Vitoka N Rochill, also said the Government’s failure to comply with the ruling amounts to contempt of court.
“Teachers are the backbone of education. Denying them justice is not only contempt of Court but also an attack on the future of our society,” it stated, urging the State Government to immediately implement the Court’s ruling and clear all pending dues.
On August 16, the Nagaland Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) 2016 batch teachers’ association served an ultimatum to the State Government to implement the pay scale as per the Gauhati High Court order by August 25. The organisations also extended their support to this demand.
The association warned that it would launch democratic forms of agitation beginning August 26 if the demands remain unaddressed.
On March 16, 2022, the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, directed the State Government to grant pay parity to RMSA Graduate Teachers recruited in 2015–16. The Court ruled that the petitioners were “equally placed in all respect” with their counterparts and entitled to the pay scale of Rs 9,300–34,800 with Grade Pay of Rs 4,200.
Upholding the principle of “equal pay for equal work,” the judgment was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court on May 20, 2025, which dismissed the State’s appeal.
