College teachers’ body demands full salary during study leave

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 9

The Himachal Pradesh Government College Teachers’ Association (HGCTA) has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the state government’s latest decision to pay only 40 per cent of an employee’s salary during the study leave.

Criticising the move, Banita Saklani, state president of HGCTA, said it contradicted the existing regulations that previously guaranteed full salary payments for employees on study leave.

Saklani said college teachers often sought study leave to pursue higher education and research, which were essential for career advancement and better job performance. She said such a reduction in salary could deter teachers from pursuing further education, ultimately impacting the quality of education.

The HGCTA has urged the government to revert to the previous policy of paying full salaries during study leave. The association is also demanding a hike in the study leave quota and extension of its duration for college teachers.