Imphal, November 14 2010: To protest non-implementation of the 6th Central Revised Pay recommendation in toto till date, Council of Teachers' Association (COTA) has threatened to launch a ceasework strike from November 15 onwards.

Speaking to newspersons at the Modhu Girls Junior High School office of All Manipur Elementary School Teachers' Association (Amesta) at Keishampat today, COTA convenor Ch Santakumar said members of COTA associates such as AMESTA, AMSSTA and AMGHSLWA said even though an agreement had been signed with the Chief Secretary representing the State Government on May 19 this year, teachers of various level are yet to receive salary scale of the 6th Central Revised Pay.

the agreement was arrived at in the presence of the Chief Minister, said Santakumar who also informed that arrear for six months accountable from January 1, 2006 had been released following sustained pressure by the teacher community.

As per memorandum of understanding signed between the Government with representatives of COTA and JAC the former party assured relevant rectification of pay anomaly to facilitate early implementation of the 6th Central Revised Pay scale, he said.

The convenor also claimed that during subsequent meetings with top Government officials, COTA delegates had submitted a detailed account with regard to existing pay structure of primary, secondary and higher secondary school teachers as proposed by the Government.

Satisfied with the pay structure presentation, Government officials had assured to expedite process for implementation of the revised pay scale only to be told that a sub-committee with RK Nimai as the Chairman has been formed for amendment of pay anomaly, Santakumar claimed.

Even though missives went sent that the pay anomaly amendment processes for primary, secondary and higher secondary school levels would be completed within September 7, 15 and 30 respectively it is yet to be translated into action, the convenor informed while opining that such callousness is akin to undermining services rendered by the teachers.

Further confided that decision to launch ceasework strike was taken at a general body meeting held on October 6 and 9 during which indifferent attitude of the Government came under strong criticism, Santakumar said the first phase strike coming into effect from tomorrow would be 'chalk and duster down' agitation followed by mass casual leave.

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