CHANDIGARH DECEMBER 17: In order to give reprieve to 13,500 teachers working under the Sarv Sikhya Abhyaan (SSA) and Rashtriya Maadhmik Sikhya Abhyaan (RMSA) across the state, the Punjab government today decided to increase the number of their annual casual leaves from 10 to 15.
A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal with a delegation of the Sarv Sikhya Abhyaan/ Rashtriya Maadhmik Sikhya Abhyaan Teacher Union, held at Chief Minister’s residence here today. The delegation led by President Mr Didar Singh and General Secretary Mr Ram Bhajan apprised the Chief Minister about the problems faced by the teachers due to scant casual
leaves. Subsequently Mr Badal decided that the number of casual leaves of these teachers would be enhanced from 10 at present to 15. On another demand of the Union regarding the regularization of services of these teachers, the Chief Minister told the delegation that the process of regularization is to be undertaken by the Union government. However he assured the delegation that on its part the Punjab government would pursue the case of these teachers with the Union government for which a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be sent to the centre government so that budgetary allocation could be made for it.
Regarding the demand of delegation of giving the SSA teachers an option for posting at the nearest station, the Chief Minister said that it would be given due consideration during the annual general transfers of the education department to be held in coming year.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting included Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr DS Guru, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr Kahan Singh Pannu, Secretary Education Mr Hussan Lal and Director General SSA, Punjab Mr B Purshartha.
