Odisha Primary Teachers Threaten Fresh Strike Over Unmet Demands

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s Primary School Teachers’ Association has issued a strike threat effective January 29, citing the state government’s failure to address their three-point charter of demands. Association President Brahmananda Maharana stated that despite assurances from an inter-ministerial committee following their September 2023 strike, the government has not taken any steps to fulfill promises by the agreed-upon December deadline.

Maharana announced a deadline extension until January 27 for government action on their demands, emphasizing that if no progress is made by then, a renewed agitation will commence on January 29. The planned demonstration at Lower PMG in Bhubaneswar will see teachers from across the state gathering to protest.

Key demands include equal pay for equal work, the removal of the new pension scheme in favour of the old one, and the designation of contractual teachers as regular staff with six years’ increment pay. Maharana warned of escalated statewide strikes if the government remains unresponsive after the January 29 agitation.

Recalling a 10-day mass leave in September last year, the teachers had suspended their protest following the inter-ministerial committee’s commitment to necessary actions by year-end. However, the renewed threat underscores their intent to resume agitation if the government fails to uphold its assurances.