Sharad Pawar asks Maharashtra govt to take urgent steps to resolve teachers’ protest

Mumbai: NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar on Wednesday demanded that the Maharashtra government take immediate action to resolve the ongoing protest here by teachers of aided and partially aided schools from across the state. He was speaking to reporters after meeting the protesting teachers at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai. The teachers from aided and partially aided schools have launched an agitation claiming that the government has not increased grants to their institutes despite announcements.

Also, whatever grants they receive now are being released in instalments, which hampers the management of their schools, they have said. “The state should not waste more than a day issuing the order (resolving their issues). I have worked in various legislative houses for the last 56 years. I am aware of how decisions are made,” said Pawar.

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The NCP (SP) chief was accompanied by Lok Sabha member Nilesh Lanke and MLA Rohit Pawar. He criticised the practice of releasing grants in batches. “Without real financial allocation, issuing orders means nothing. They should be thrown into the dustbin. The government cannot shy away from its responsibilities,” Pawar said. The teachers have been protesting for the past four days, coinciding with the monsoon session of the state legislature.

“Be it government or semi-government, workers are important. Teachers provide knowledge to society. It is the responsibility of the state government to give these people an opportunity to live a respectful and dignified life,” he said. Stressing that teachers shape the new generation, Pawar said it does not look good for Maharashtra that they must sit in the rains to protest for their “rightful” demands.