Teachers defer March 14 strike

NAGPUR: The statewide strike of teachers organised by Maharashtra Federation of Universities and College Teachers Organisations (Mfucto) from March 14 has been indefinitely deferred. A huge protest rally was planned at Mumbai's Azad Maidan from 12 noon to 4pm the same day in which teaching community members from across the state was to participate.
Mfucto general secretary Eknath Kathale said that the stir was postponed due to "unavoidable" problems and the new dates would be announced soon.The teachers had planned protest against the government's failure to fulfill their long-pending demands. The issues teachers are raising include clarity on biometric card system, ending discrepancies in retirement age of teachers as recommended by the UGC and the decision of the HRD ministry, benefits of sixth pay panel for lecturers who have cleared NET/SET from the date of joining or date of selection, leaves as per the UGC, hike in remuneration for those who are PhD or MPhil, payment of salary and retirement benefits to social work teachers as per the sixth pay commission and clearance of arrears from January 1, 2006.