Punjab: Teachers’ protest demanding salary revision continues for 24th day
Punjab: The protest by teachers of technical universities in Punjab has entered the 24th day as they continue to demand immediate implementation of revised pay scales. Faculty members of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University (MRSPTU) and other technical institutes across the state are united in their stand against the delay in implementation of the promised pay revisions. The teachers, who were assured of pay scale revision as per the 7th Pay Commission, have accused the state government and the technical education department of deliberately stalling the process. The protesters allege that despite several assurances, the government has failed to fulfil its commitments, leading to growing frustration among the academic community.
They said the finance minister and technical education minister have not given time for a meeting despite repeated attempts. The protesting teachers argue that the issue is no longer about financial deficit. “It has become a violation of our basic rights as academics. We are feeling humiliated and unheard with no support from the government,” said one of the protesters. Amid the ongoing delay, teachers from all technical universities have announced plans to further intensify their protests. They have announced a pen/chalk down strike from next week if their demands are not met. The protesting teachers – Dr Amit Bhatia, Dr Bhupinder Dhot, Dr Dinesh and others from MRSPTU – said a sense of desperation is growing among them. “We have already been waiting for a long time to get justice. The government has been making empty promises and it is now clear that they are only trying to delay the implementation.
This is a direct blow to our morale and our dignity as teachers,” they said. This escalation threatens to further disrupt academic operations in the state’s technical institutes. The long-running protest has disrupted classes, affecting thousands of students. As the strike enters more challenging stages, students are concerned about the future of their education. While many students have expressed support for the teachers’ issue, they also hope for a quick resolution of the situation. With no solution in sight, the protests are likely to intensify in the coming days. The teachers’ union has made it clear that they are determined to continue their fight for their rights and will not back down until the revised pay scale is fully implemented.
