Odisha Teachers Protest in Bhubaneswar Over Pension, Grants and Long-Pending Service Demands

Thousands of teachers and non-teaching employees have taken to the streets in Bhubaneswar, staging a massive protest at Gandhi Marg over a range of long-pending demands. The agitation, which began on August 16, has entered its sixth day, with protesters vowing to continue their stir until the government takes concrete action.

The protest is being organised under the banner of the Odisha School-College Teachers and Employees Coordination Committee. Protesters said they have continued their agitation despite scorching heat during the day and rain at night.

“We won’t leave until the government accepts our demands,” protesters said, asserting that repeated representations and discussions with the authorities have failed to resolve several of their grievances.

Among the key demands is the immediate release of grants to all eligible schools, along with the government takeover of grant-in-aid schools and colleges. The protesters are also seeking implementation of the Old Pension Scheme, besides pension and retirement benefits for retired employees and standardised service conditions.

Contractual Teachers Seek Seniority Benefits

Teachers appointed on a contractual basis between 2004 and 2013 are demanding six notional increments and seniority benefits. The protesters have also called for the removal of discrepancies in grade pay and immediate recruitment against vacant posts in schools and colleges.

According to the protesting employees, the lack of pension and retirement benefits has left several retired staff members facing financial difficulties. They have urged the government to take steps to address the issue and provide them with their due benefits.

The agitation began on August 16, observed by the protesters as ‘Demand Day’. The teachers and employees have warned that the movement will continue unless the government takes adequate measures on their demands.

Women teachers and employees have also joined the protest in large numbers. During the agitation, they questioned government claims regarding women’s respect and empowerment, saying that women employees have been compelled to remain on the streets day and night while seeking their rights and livelihood-related demands.

With the protest continuing at Gandhi Marg, attention is now on the state government’s response. The protesters have indicated that they will not withdraw the agitation without assurances and concrete action on their long-standing demands.

Satish Kumar Dash is a reporter from Odisha with 5 years of journalism experience, including 2.5 years at Times Now Navbharat.