College teachers to go on hunger strike for timely pay

GUWAHATI: The Assam College Teachers’ Association (ACTA) has threatened to boycott classes if their long-pending demands are not fulfilled by the state government.
ACTA, one of the state’s leading teachers’ associations, will go on a hunger strike on Tuesday in front of the directorate of higher education pressing for their demands which include timely payment of arrears by the government and creation of more teachers’ posts in the colleges to meet students’ demands.Every year more and more students are taking admission in colleges.
“We want the government to pay serious attention to our grievances. Citing financial problems, it has often shied away from paying dues of teachers. ACTA wants the government to clear arrears and this time we will not be satisfied with only assurances,” said ACTA general secretary Jyoti Kamal Hazarika.
Among other demands, the organization has been urging the state to create more new posts in the colleges to meet the needs of the students.
“In the past few years, the number of students has increased phenomenally in the state colleges, but the number of teachers has been a cause of concern. Hardly any new post has been created since 1992,” Hazarika said.
The college teachers’ organization is protesting since July 30 and it will continue till September 7. Hazarika said if the government did not fulfill their demands by September 7, ACTA would intensify its protest and boycott classes.
“Though, college teachers have not yet boycotted classes considering the interests of students, this time there will be no compromise. Teachers are yet to get their dues since 2004,” Hazarika added.
Among other demands, the organization has been urging the state government to create more new posts in the colleges to meet the needs of the students