7th UGC Pay: As teachers intensify stir, students demand regular classes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19 2021: Even as Government college teachers intensified their protest demanding implementation of the 7th UGC Pay and Regulations, 2018, students of DM College of Science took out a procession demanding regular classes today.

A large number of students started the procession from the Central Hall of the college campus at around 12.30 pm, but they were stopped by police.

DM College of Science Student Union, general secretary, Sairem Chinglemba said the students staged the rally to highlight their grievances amid the cease work strike of the teachers.

The COVID-19 pandemic which had shut down colleges since March last year coupled with the teachers strike have made the future and career of the students uncertain.

First COVID-19 had shut colleges and now teachers' strike has crippled the academic atmosphere.

Even though there have been no regular classes, semester examinations will come in April and students will have no choice but to sit for the examinations, he said, adding that the impasse between the teachers and the Government should not affect the students and their career.

The Government and the teachers should bring about an amicable solution at the earliest for the sake of the students.

Rallies and other forms of protest will continue everyday until there are regular classes in the college, he said.

Meanwhile, the cease-work strike of the teachers has entered the second day today with FEGOCTA (Federation of Government College Teachers' Associations) holding a sit-in protest at DM College of Arts campus.

Teachers of GP Women's College, Lilong Haoreibi College, Moirang College, Imphal College, NG College, YK College, Maharaj Bodhachandra College, DM College of Science, Manipur College etc took part in the protest.

During the sit-in, FEGOCTA president K Sanaton said that the teachers launched the cease work strike as the Government failed to give any response despite 16 days of sit-ins.

The State Cabinet had given its approval to implement the 7th UGC Pay thrice since 2018 and the Government has repeatedly failed to implement the same.

The last Cabinet approval was given in August 2019, however the Government is yet to issue an order implementing the 7th UGC Pay and regulations, 2018, he said.

He also asserted that the Government's apathy towards the teachers is clear as only they are being denied the 7th UGC Pay when all the other employees of the Government are enjoying similar Pay Commission.

The Government should issue the order implementing the 7th UGC Pay and Regulations, 2018 at the earliest to bring back normalcy in the colleges and resume regular classes.

FEGOCTA's agitation will continue till the Government issues the order, he added.

Meanwhile, students of DM College of Arts have also appealed both the Government and teachers to reach an agreement by February 20 .

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