Teachers protest over pension, promotions and pay parity
The key demand was the immediate implementation of the old pension scheme (OPS). Protesters criticized the state-appointed three-member committee formed to study the reintroduction of OPS, alleging that the panel had failed to function effectively. They urged the govt not to extend the committee's term unnecessarily. Other demands included restoration of pay parity for secondary teachers withdrawn by the Centre, scrapping of GO 243 that prevents teacher promotions, resolution of pay discrepancies, filling of teaching vacancies, and cancellation of the rule mandating immediate release of retiring teachers—arguing it affects student learning mid-academic year.
District secretary of the organisation, Neelakandan, who spoke demanded that the merit-based promotion case pending in Supreme Court be expedited. Concerns were also raised about the use of P-shaped classrooms, which they said were deemed unfit by medical professionals. The protesters warned that a massive blockade would be staged at Fort St George in Chennai in August if the demands were not met.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
15 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Agitating ASHA workers in Kerala welcome Centre's reported incentive hike
The ASHA workers in Kerala who have been agitating for the last several months against the state government demanding a hike and post-retirement benefits, on Saturday welcomed the Centre's reported decision to increase their fixed monthly incentive. They said the union government's decision would be beneficial for over 10 lakh ASHA workers in the country. There are media reports that the Centre approved a proposal to hike the fixed monthly incentive of ASHAs from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500 during the recent 9th meeting of the Mission Steering Group (MSG). The media also reported that the retirement benefits of the ASHA workers would be increased by the Centre, too. S Mini, state vice president of the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association (KAHWA) whose members are carrying out the indefinite agitation in front of the Secretariat here, said they had already carried out two Parliament marches raising the same demand. "We welcome the union government's decision to increase the fixed monthly incentive. The incentive had been the same so far since the scheme was launched 18 years ago. We have been demanding the Centre to increase this," she told reporters here. She said the Members of the Parliament from the state visited them when they began the agitation in front of the Secretariat on Feb 10 and assured them to take up the matter with the union government. The present decisions were a continuation of the assurance given by the MPs, she said. The leader said the fixed monthly incentive of the ASHA workers was now raised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,500 and the retirement benefit was increased from Rs 20,000 to 50,000 by the Centre. "But, we will end our ongoing agitation only when the state government increases the honorarium as demanded by us," Mini said, adding that the state authorities could enhance it easily. A section of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers have been protesting outside the secretariat since February 10, demanding a hike in their honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000 and a post-retirement benefit of five lakh rupees. Asha workers in Kerala receive an honorarium of Rs 7000 -- given entirely by the state. The fixed incentives are given in a 60-40 ratio by the Centre and the state.
NDTV
43 minutes ago
- NDTV
"Lok Sabha To First Take Up Motion To Remove Justice Yashwant Verma": Kiren Rijiju
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the motion to remove Justice Yashwant Verma, who remains in trouble after burnt wads of cash were recovered from his residence following a fire incident, will be moved in Lok Sabha first, as per the rules. He said that the removal of Justice Verma should be a joint decision. "The motion for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma will be raised in the Lok Sabha, and then subsequently, it will be concurred by the Rajya Sabha. All political parties have agreed that the removal of Justice Yashwant Verma has to be a joint call," Rijiju told reporters here. He emphasised that initiating the impeachment process of Justice Verma was a collective responsibility of the Parliament, not just the government alone. "We have been making efforts in relation to the matter of Justice Yashwant Verma. We have clearly stated that it is not only the government's efforts, but the entire Parliament is responsible for addressing the issue of corruption in the judiciary and removing judges from the Supreme Court or High Court. We should not be divided on this issue," the Union Minister said. The centre is working to form a committee to probe allegations levelled against Justice Yashwant Verma, government sources said on July 23. This comes after Rijiju stated that signatures of over 100 MPs have been collected for the impeachment process against Justice Verma, who is currently under scrutiny following the discovery of burnt cash at his residence. "The signature (collection) is underway, and it has crossed 100 already," Rijiju said while responding to a question about the status of the requisite signatures of MPs for the impeachment exercise against Justice Verma. When asked about whether the Parliament will take up the issue in this monsoon session scheduled to start on July 21, the Union Minister had said, "In the Justice Varma case, the process will be undertaken together by all parties. This is not the move by the government alone." "I can't comment on any business in terms of priority until and unless the matter is passed by the BAC (Business Advisory Committee) with the approval of the chair. It is difficult to make an announcement outside," he added. On July 21, Members of Parliament submitted a memorandum to the Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to remove High Court Justice Yashwant Varma in connection with the cash discovery row. A total of 145 Lok Sabha members signed the impeachment motion against Justice Varma under Articles 124, 217, and 218 of the from various parties, including the Congress, TDP, JDU, JDS, Jan Sena Party, AGP, SS (Shinde), LJSP, SKP, and CPM, signed the memorandum. Notable signatories include MPs Anurag Singh Thakur, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, PP Chaudhary, Supriya Sule, KC Venugopal, and others. Earlier, the sources had informed about the formation of a committee that is likely to include a judge of the Supreme Court, a chief justice from any of the High Courts and a distinguished jurist. The notices for the removal of Justice Varma were given on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Move is appreciated: Kangana Ranaut after crackdown on OTT platforms
Bollywood actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut has supported the Centre's ban on OTT platforms in the country. Speaking to ANI, the Emergency star said that the move was crucial to protect the country's young people and was issued in the public interest. 'The ban has been imposed to ensure that our culture and the minds of the youth are not corrupted. It is important to see that our society is not headed toward a complete downfall. It was awaited for a long time,' she said. Kangana also appreciated the step taken against the illegal functioning of the OTT applications. Likewise, actor Ravi Kishan has also welcomed the decision, stating that 'boundaries and limits need to be set.' According to sources, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has ordered the blocking of 25 over-the-top (OTT) platforms over allegedly publishing obscene, vulgar, and even pornographic material. As a part of it, platforms like Ullu, ALTT, Big Shots App, NeonX VIP, and Desiflix were found disseminating content that directly violated several provisions of Indian law, including Section 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 4 of the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. A total of 14 mobile applications, 26 websites have been ordered to be disabled by intermediaries under provisions of the IT Act, 2000 and the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Much of the content showcased on the aforementioned platforms involved graphic sexual innuendos, long sequences of nudity, and pornographic visuals. ALSO READ: Blocked 18 OTT platforms for publishing obscene, vulgar content: Govt Some, they believed, also had inappropriate sexual situations involving family relationships, which aggravated concerns over legality and decency. Previously, in September 2024, all 25 platforms received official warnings. The Ministry also issued an advisory, asking the OTT platforms to comply with India's obscenity laws and the Code of Ethics prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021.
