FEGOCTA pooh-poohs verbal assurance

    25-Feb-2021
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FEGOCTA pooh-poohs verbal
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Feb 24 : Teachers respect the Education Minister, but they cannot trust his assurance, said the Federation of Government College Teachers’ Associations (FEGOCTA) which has been spearheading the demand for implementation of the 7th UGC Pay and Regulations, 2018.
In a statement issued to the press today, FEGOCTA asserted that the request of the Education Minister to wait till the middle of March is another tactic to delay the implementation of 7th UGC Pay.
The college teachers have been waiting for three years now since November 2, 2017. Government’s inability to issue an order implementing the 7th UGC Pay and Regulations, 2018 even after six months and 17 days of Cabinet approval is really a “shameful act”. It shows the inefficiency of the Government and apathy  towards the Government college teachers, said FEGOCTA.
Even as the 5th series of agitation entered the 24th day today, the Government is “depriving” the teachers and the students of their rights by not implementing the National policy of the UGC.
The teachers do not want any more assurances but the actual order implementing the 7th UGC Pay. FEGOCTA trusts only the order not assurances, it said.
Accusing the Government of using COVID-19 as an excuse for its failure to implement the 7th UGC Pay and Regulations, 2018, FEGOCTA asked what would be the Government’s justification if there were no pandemic. The teachers have been demanding the Government to implement the UGC policy since 2018, well before Covid. The Government has failed to implement the policy for over three years. If it (Government) is really sincere about the students and teaching-learning, the order to implement it should be issued immediately, FEGOCTA said.
Meanwhile, the teaching communities of Churachandpur College and Lamka College took out a protest rally today demanding implementation of the 7th UGC Pay and regulations, 2018. They also submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister N Biren Singh through the Deputy Commissioner.
Showing solidarity with the agitating college teachers, the Manipur Government Services’ Federation (MGSF) has also appealed to the Government to implement the 7th UGC Pay and Regulations, 2018.
In a statement, MGSF noted that ignoring the legitimate demand of the teachers may jeopardise the academic career of thousands of students as the teachers have launched  cease work strike.
It is very unfortunate that the State Government is yet to adopt the 7th UGC Pay and Regulations for the college teachers till date, despite the assurances given on many occasions. Ignoring the legitimate demands of the employees is tantamount to inviting trouble. The Government should grant the demand of the teachers immediately in the interest of all concerned, MGSF said.