KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: The agitating block grant teachers on Friday performed Ganesh Puja on the road at Lower PMG square here and prayed to the Elephant God for the enlightenment of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Ptaniak’s mind.
The teachers, who are on the tenth day of their strike, claimed that the state government had forced them to celebrate Ganesh Puja on the road, which is supposed to be held in educational institutions.
“Usually, we celebrate Ganesh Puja in educational institutions along with students as Ganesh is considered to be the god of knowledge. But it is very unfortunate that we are forced by the state government to celebrate the puja here on the road. On this occasion, we pray that may the god of wisdom enlighten the mind of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik so that he becomes aware of our problems and solve them,” said one of the agitating teachers.
Despite repeated meetings of the teachers with the concerned Minister, Secretary and Chief Secretary, no results have come out yet. There will be another round of discussion on Monday.
Demanding fulfillment of their various demands, block grant teachers and lecturers are on the dharna for the last ten days under the banner of Odisha School College Teachers and Employees Joint Forum.
Abolition of the block grant system, equal salary for equal work, salary as per 7th pay commission recommendations, provision of full aid, government takeover of all aided schools are some of their demands.
Ms Kalinga