Imphal, October 03 2009: All Manipur Hill Districts Contract Basis Teachers' Association (AMHDCBTA) has warned of launching intense form of agitation against the state government if it fails to fulfil the Association's five-point demands within 15 days.

The Association organised a sit-in-protest demonstration against the government's indifferent and discriminatory attitude towards the contract basis teachers of the hill districts at Chingmeirong today.

Tharza Kashung, Secretary of the Asociation told this newspaper that the Government of Manipur appointed 1332 teachers on contract basis on May 16 in 2006.The appointments were made following an MOU signed between the Government of Manipur and ATSUM on March 31 in 2006 .

The Secretary further said that there were four engagements- 85 days from May, 2006; 85 days from August, 2006, from November, 2006 to March, 2007, upto September, 2007 for Hindi and primary teachers, from September to December 2008.The last extension expired on December 31, 2008 in which 1,186 contract teachers were engaged.

Mr Kashung further said that they have been suffering for four years.

Most of the contract teachers were over-aged.

The government of Manipur recognised that there were 1,186 vacancies at schools in the hill districts and, engaged the contract teachers in December, 2008 .

He said, the vacancies have not been filled up on regular basis till now.

The part-time lecturers, nurses of RIMS Hospital and other contract teachers in the state have launched agitations.

So why shouldn't we too launch agitation, he asked.

The signatories of the MOU, viz., the Government of Manipur and ATSUM had appealed to the Association to wait.

"We waited and waited.

We cannot wait anymore," he said.

Chief Minister O Ibobi had announced extension of their service on January 31 this year at the inaugural function of the Tribal Cultural Meet organised by ATSUM at TRI, Chingmeirong.

The Association wants the Chief Minister to redeem his commitment.

They want to serve the hill people as teachers.

They are qualified and willing enough to serve their local school and their village, the Secretary said.

The demands of the Association are extension of their services for one year (2009), increment of salary by 50%, special DPC for contract teachers, transfer of schools with posts (teachers), and if terminated their services, adequate compensation be paid.

The secretary also complained that in Manipur, the academic calendar is of 3/4 months only.

They could not serve fully as the government did not extend their service for one academic year.

The government has not given any facility except salary of Rs 4,000/- per month for graduate and Rs 3,800/- per month for primary.

That too was not given in time.

The government used them as a commodity, as a means of damage control, and a bait to appear some NGOs.

He expressed deep concern over the discriminatory treatment by Directorate of Education (S), Govt of Manipur, and even by the Heads and regular staffs of the schools because of their contract service status, which hurt their sentiments.

"We are victimized by the State Education Policy (Govt Schools).

Public attitude towards contract teachers is unbearable.

We are like gold ring given to the pig.

The government of Manipur levied service tax of Rs 250/- per head from their salary last year.

The association also challenged the state government that if the government extends one full academic year, the government will find them qualified, regular and genuine lover of their hill schools.

They extolled the general teachers (valley based) for standing for the cause of tribals.

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