Two thousand, two hundred ninety-three teachers in Nagaland are protesting in Kohima. They demand their salaries be moved to the state’s non-plan expenditure head. The demonstration began Thursday outside the Directorate of School Education.
Teacher Grievances
Members of the Nagaland Government Teachers’ Association (NGTA) are affected. They were integrated into the State Education Cadre on September 2, 2022. This followed Cabinet approval, effective April 21, 2022. Despite this, their salaries are still paid from Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS). This contrasts with regular state cadre employees. The teachers seek salaries drawn under the state’s non-development expenditure.
The association submitted multiple appeals over the years. They received no concrete response. A seven-day ultimatum was issued February 16. After the deadline passed without resolution, teachers held a two-day pen-down strike. This led to the current protest.
School Education Department Clarification
The School Education Department issued a clarification. This addresses the agitation by teachers initially hired under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA). The department states the 2010 and 2013 batch teachers were appointed to posts funded by the Government of India under CSS.
However, appointment orders did not specify CSS terms. This led teachers to demand mainstreaming into the State School Education Cadre. The department confirmed 2,293 teachers met criteria. They were mainstreamed into the State Cadre on September 2, 2022. This followed clearance from Personnel & Administrative Reforms and Finance Departments. State Cabinet approval was also secured.
Current Status and Demands
The department states these teachers receive the 7th Revision of Pay. They also get scale pay and other entitlements. They are governed by the same rules as regular state government employees. The department acknowledged salary head change requests. These are being taken up with authorities. However, it is not within state employees’ power to determine budget account heads.
Consultations occurred on June 3. School Education Adviser met teacher representatives. NGTA Dimapur Unit president Alemkala stated teachers were regular appointees. He emphasized they underwent formal recruitment, including exams and interviews. He stated they have sought parity with other state cadre teachers for over 13 years. He reiterated the demand to shift salaries from CSS to the state non-plan budget.
NGTA Central Unit president Peihau Irangbe noted a State Cabinet decision in October 2018. This decision was to induct the 2,293 teachers into the State Education Cadre. Integration was effective April 1, 2022, after meeting criteria. Irangbe cited delayed salaries due to fund release issues from the Centre. He stated vacant posts were advertised as regular positions. He believes the department added the ‘under CSS scheme’ clause to appointment letters. This is why they demand immediate transfer to the state non-plan head.