Imphal, Aug 30: Expressing strong resentment against the State Government's alleged inefficiency in completing the MGEL and post creation exercise that had resulted in non-release of salaries for upto five months, Imphal District Zone-I of All manipur Elementary School Teachers' Association has threatened to launch intense agitation in case the pending salaries are not cleared/released within September 5.A release issued by the teachers' body opined that inaction of the Chief Secretary and Commissioner (Education) inspite of initiating the mGEL operation, is equally responsible for the said exercise consuming more than five months.

Treatment meted out to the teaching community unarguably reflects State Government's callous attitude towards the teachers and is akin to conveying that plight and grievances of the teachers are of least importance to the State authorities, lamented the release.

Reminding that without the services rendered by the teachers attaining quality education would be a far fetched dream, it further reminded all concerned that it is the appointing authorities that need to be pulled up and punished accordingly rather than victimise the teachers for no fault of theirs.

The Association also desired cooperation and active involvement of civil society organisations in rectifying the flaw-filled administration in the Education Department.

Neither the Government nor do NGOs operating in the State takes the initiative to find the root cause of the controversy-riddled Education Department contrary to abusive comments passed at the slightest error committed from among the teacher community, observed the Association.

As part of the proposed agitation, boycott of the forthcoming Assembly elections could not be ruled out, it added.

Meanwhile, students' body DESAM expressed strong resentment that controversy infested Education Department had been is impeding progress of education in the State.

Questioning delay in finalising the Manipur Government Employed List (MGEL) exercise of the Department, DESAM termed as unfortunate the teachers being denied their monthly salary for nearly five months due to inefficiency of the Department officials.

Even after detection of 147 cases of fake appointment inability of authority concerned to complete the MGEL processes is a cause of concern as it not only affects morale of the teachers but its consequences are felt by the student community, expressed the students' body in a release.

Demanding that rather than resorting to cover-up exercises to shield guilty officials of Education Department all the pending official processes be completed at the earliest, DESAM asserted that it would not remain a silent spectator if genuine grievances of the teachers are addressed expeditiously.

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