Signing pacts hallmark policy to delay stir
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: November 27, 2021 -

IT could be comprehended from FEGOCTA's missive addressed to the Prime Minister and the Union education minister on Thursday over the 7th UGC pay issue, college teachers in the state feel betrayed by the government's failure to translate into action assurances given to address their plight.

As mentioned in the letter, FEGOCTA is definitely not amused with the government of Manipur delaying actual increment of salary of the college teachers as agreed multiple times and deliberation of the same issue in cabinet meetings.

By urging the Prime Minister and the Union education minister to direct the state government for implementation of the 7th UGC Pay, which is a national policy, FEGOCTA has rung out the message that they are running out of patience and their angst might be detrimental to interests of the students.

With its request letters conveying that failure to implement National Policy of 7th UGC Pay in Manipur has been having demoralising effect on the government college teachers in the state, FEGOCTA has made it clear that they are in no mood to tolerate any deceptive policies of the state government or be discriminated upon.

Its growing frustration over the government's apparent indifferent attitude to hike the salary has also been spelt out as the letter inferred that their north-eastern colleagues in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam have been enjoying the 7th UGC Pay since 2018 while thousands of employees in almost all of the state's departments are also drawing salaries as recommended by the 7th Pay Commission with effect from 2019.

Some months back, when chief minister N Biren commented that one shouldn't expect free of cost food grains, treatment and medicines in an apparent retort to the opposition parties' tirade over incessant hiking of prices of petroleum products and other essential goods, the message was clear that the financial position of the government is not very healthy.

While poor financial position of the state seems to be the only foreseeable reason for non-implementation of the deal struck with the college teachers, the fact remains that buying time has been hallmark tactics of successive governments whenever any issue crops up.

For instance, Thursday night's agreement with ATSUM after the latter launched indefinite economic blockade along the national highways is a testimony that the government is determined to avert any crisis situation and would go any distance to pacify the agitating parties.

Other than delaying imminent resumption of the blockade, there is remote chance of the latest deal bringing lasting solution to the ADC Bill issue for it is obvious that non-tribal civil society organisations and legislators would oppose any move that could undermine administrative and territorial integrity of Manipur.

Similarly, FECOGTA has every reason to suspect that the agreement it had signed with the government is part of the policy to get rid of Manipur's image as a land of agitation and social discord.

Nevertheless, taking into account of the upcoming assembly election, possibility of the government deciding to uphold the agreement signed with FEGOCTA cannot be ruled out for the ruling entity would be eager to seek the people's mandate without any glitches.