Demands pending, computer teachers to go on hunger strike

Protesting against non-acceptance of their long-standing demands, computer teachers will observe hunger strike on October 17. The relay fast by computer teachers today entered 44th day.

The protesters said on October 17, a large number of computer teachers from across the state would march from the DC Office to the residence of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.

Nardeep Sharma, district chief, Computer Adhyapak Union, said, they would chalk out a plan to get their demands accepted and implemented.

He said Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains had promised computer teachers to implement their demands two years ago, but to no avail.

Their demands include shifting of computer teachers from the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES) to the Education Department, implementation of 6th Pay Commission and financial assistance or government job to family members of 100 deceased computer teachers.

Sharma said the incumbent government had been “exploiting” them financially and mentally. He said they had been performing services for the past 19 years but no government had shifted them to the Education Department.

He added that in 2011, the SAD-BJP government had issued a notification related to regularisation of their services with all benefits under the Punjab Civil Services Rules.