FEGOCTA joins ceasework stir

IMPHAL, Jul 7: The Federation of Government College Teachers’ Associations, Manipur (FEGOCTA) today announced that their suspended agitation will resume as the Government has failed to meet their demands. 
FEGOCTA general secretary Dr N Somorendro, speaking  at a press meet held today at Ema Panthobi Sanglen  Thangmeiband,  said they are compelled to resume their suspended agitation from today despite the problems faced by the State due to COVID-19 pandemic.
"FEGOCTA has decided to suspend the online classes/lectures and to boycott examinations, admissions and other academic activities," he said. 
However, teachers at the quarantine centres will continue to perform their duties wearing black badges, he said.
"FEGOCTA has also decided to extend support to Manipur Government Services' Federation," he said while adding that their agitation will not obstruct the duties/activities under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. 
 Giving reasons for their agitation, he further said that the teachers in the Government colleges and technical institutions in the State are left out in the 7th Pay implementation while other employees of State Government and College teachers in the other States of the country are already enjoying 7th Pay.
The Government has failed to issue the orders despite three reminders the most recent being the reminder submitted on July 6, he said. 
Chief Minister N Biren Singh had also announced the Cabinet approval of 7th UGC Pay and Regulations, 2018 on February 11 this year.
However, the order for the said approval has not been issued till date.
Referring to an order issued by the Chief Secretary dated July 6, in which it stated that "any sort of agitation by an organization that adversely affects the measures taken up by the Government to tackle the pandemic.......shall be prosecuted and punished under Section 51 and Section 56 of the National Disaster Management Act, 2005," he alleged that the order was issued under a non-existent Act/Law.
He said by issuing an order  under a non-existent Act/Law called the National Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Chief Secretary has misled the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers and the people.
He pointed out that there is only Disaster Management Act, 2005 and not National Disaster Management Act, 2005.
A written complaint will be submitted to the President and the Prime Minister against the Chief Secretary for misleading the Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers and the people by issuing an order using a non-existent Law/Act as well as for dishonoring the State Cabinet approval for 7th UGC Pay and Regulations, 2018, he added.