All Assam Secondary Additional Teachers' Association seek Promised Facilities

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Secondary Additional Teachers' Association has expressed disappointment at the State Government's failure to implement the Governor's Notification of July 1, 2020 regarding grant of facilities to contractual secondary school teachers which would be at par with those provided to regular teachers.

Talking to The Sentinel, the association's convenor, Bipul Dutta said that there are 4,970 additional (contractual) teachers of secondary schools in the State at present. He said that the delay in implementing the Notification issued by the Governor, which followed a decision to this effect taken by the Assam Cabinet on May 26, 2020, has meant deprivation of these additional teachers.

He pointed out that almost two years have elapsed the commitment was made by State Government, but they are yet to receive due benefits such as medical reimbursement, provident fund and death benefits to the next of kin.

Dutta mentioned that nine additional teachers have died between the issuance of the Notification and the present time, but their families have not received any death benefits so far. On the other hand, regular employees' kin receive the deceased employee's full salary till the relevant date of superannuation. "As such, where is the promised parity between regular employees and us?", he asked.

He further said that the additional teachers were supposed to be covered under the National (New) Pension Scheme, but that, too, has not happened. Consequently, some additional teachers who retired from service are not receiving a single paisa by way of pension.

Moreover, he said, the State Government has made any provision for a provident fund for the additional teachers and this has created concern over their post-retirement condition.

Dutta informed that the association has convened a general meeting on May 7 to discuss these issues and take a decision regarding their future course of action.

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