COTA gives it back to CM word for word
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 18 2011: Reacting to comments of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh that he would prefer resignation rather than oblige demand for in toto implementation of the 6th Central Revised Pay recommendation, Council of Teachers' Association (COTA) has stated that the CM's stand demonstrates not only inefficiency but also projects the betrayal trait of the individual.

A COTA statement issued by its convenor (publicity) also ridiculed the CM's assertion of the SPF Government's inability not to implement the revised pay recommendation as a memorandum of understanding had already been signed between COTA representatives and the SPF Govt on the said issue.

Moreover, the CM undermining importance of human resources and utter disrespect against the teachers, who are guiding the younger generation become responsible citizens of the future indicates ignorance on the part of the CM, the publicity convenor stated while expressing that such an attitude is unbecoming of a Chief Minister, who is supposed to be the leader of the people.

regarding the CM's indication that decline in the popularity of Government run schools is a strong case to invalidate demand for salary hike, COTA dismissed the observation as premature for there are still many students enrolled in Government schools.

While accusing the CM for lack of knowledge or information about student-Govt school quotient in his own Assembly Constituency (Thoubal), the Council also presented a detailed account of large number of students in various Govt schools compared to teacher inadequacy.

Accusing the CM of allegedly planning to gradually wipe out Government run educational institutions rather than ensure development of the remaining schools, the convenor also questioned wisdom of the CM for commenting that demand for implementation of the 6th Central Revised Pay recommendation is not justifiable on the basis that popularity of Govt schools is on the wane.

Expressing that the CM's stand reflects the SPF Govt's hidden agenda to wipe out Govt schools, the COTA statement also question whether salary scale of doctors would be reduced or the post of Health Minister deleted on account of decline in the number of patients coming to Govt run medical centres.

COTA also reminded the Chief Minister that salary scale of the late 90s is not compatible with the present day cost of living for the simple fact that a kilogram of rice today cost Rs 30 from a mere Rs 6-7 about a decade back.

The convenor further invalidated the CM's estimate that the State exchequer will lose about Rs 5 crores in case the revised pay scale demand is implemented with the claim that only Rs 1.5 would be required.

moreover, when monthly entitlement of an MLA, inclusive of allowances, has been recently increased to Rs 1.669 lakh from about Rs 27,250 how could the teachers' demand for implementing the recommended pay scale be dismissed as unjustifiable, asked the convenor.

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