1.30 lakh Odisha primary teachers take mass leave, 54k schools closed, 40 lakh students suffer
Bhubaneswar (PTI): As the indefinite ceasework by primary teachers of state-run schools in Odisha entered the sixth day on Wednesday, about 1.30 lakh teachers took mass leave after closing down about 54,000 schools across the state.
While teachers staged an agitation pressing for the abolition of the contractual appointment system and the reimplementation of old pension, about 40 lakh students of state-run schools remained out of their institutions. The teachers continued their stir despite the Odisha government's appeal to withdraw their strike.
The teachers under the banner of United Primary Teachers Federation launched an indefinite agitation last Friday (September 8) for fulfillment of their demands include abolition of the contractual appointment system, hike in grade pay and restoration of the old pension scheme.
As the government did not take any steps on their demands, the aggrieved teachers went on mass leave and staged protests before the offices of block education officers (BEOs), said Brahmananda Maharana, an agitating teacher.
Due to the protest, primary education in 56,000 schools has been hit badly. Maximum schools were locked after prayers while in some schools, one or two teachers conducted the classes.
"Instead of looking into our demands, the government has constituted a sub-committee. When an inter-ministerial panel has already been constituted, what is the need of the sub-committee?," a teacher leader asked. He also alleged that the sub-committee was formed "only to delay the process".
Meanwhile, opposition BJP and Congress slammed the state government for failing to address the issues of school teachers.
Though five days have already passed, the government has failed to address their grievances, said state BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal.
Due to the apathy of the state government, the entire education system has virtually collapsed in the state, he alleged.
"When the government can spend Rs 500 crore on the chopper ride of a secretary, why are they unable to pay proper salary to the teachers?" asked the BJP leader.
State Congress president Sarat Pattanayak said an emergency' like situation has been created in the education system in Odisha. The government is sitting idle without resolving their issues, he said.
On the other hand, BJD MLA Arabinda Dhali said the state government will certainly look into their genuine demands.
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Bengaluru: Woman dies after being hit by luxury car driven by 'drunk' youth
Bengaluru (PTI): A 30-year-old woman died after she was hit by a luxury car being driven by a youth, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, police said on Tuesday.
Dhanush (20) was arrested, they said, adding that he has been sent to judicial custody.
According to police, Sandhya A S was crossing the road near the Kengeri TTMC (Traffic and Transit Management Centre) on the busy Mysuru Road on Saturday when she was hit by the Mercedes Benz car which then crashed into a bike.
After the accident, the accused tried to flee from the spot but was caught by bystanders who allegedly thrashed him.
The injured woman and the biker identified as Syed Arbaz (23), were immediately rushed to a hospital where Sandhya was declared brought dead on arrival. Arbaz was treated for minor inuries, a senior traffic police official said.
"An alcometer test of the accused driver showed that he had 177 mg/100 ml of blood alcohol content, which was way higher than the legally permissible limit of 30 mg/100 ml," he said, citing preliminary inquiry.
Dhanush's father owns a private bus travels company.
"We have registered a case under sections 281 (rash driving or riding on a public road), 125 A (Act endangering life or personal safety of others) and 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the accused car driver at Kengeri traffic police station and arrested him," a traffic official said.
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