Srinagar, July 29: Literally frustrated by the callous attitude of the state government over their demands, the college contractual lecturers Friday decided to go on fast unto death from Saturday.
 “All the representatives of the association from all colleges across Kashmir would begin the hungers strike at Press Enclave on Saturday morning”, President of Jammu and Kashmir College Contractual Teachers Association (JKCCTA), Dr Muhammad Maqbool said. “It will go on till our demands are fulfilled and for any eventuality during this period government would be responsible.”
 The association also contested the government’s claims that 80 per cent of the syllabus was complete. The president said the only 30 per cent syllabus was complete “and the statement made by the government was just to avoid the public pressure.”
 “It is known to everyone that 80 per cent syllabus takes us till October,” he said.
 Apprehensive that the government may call for summer break to delay action on contractual lecturers’ demands, he said: “This will only affect the academic calendar, but it can never be the solution to the problem. The government is using delaying tactics instead of dealing with the issue head on.” 
 Around 650 contractual lecturers have been on strike since July 27. They are demanding change in the nomenclature; monthly wages equivalent to the basic salary of the post they are holding; one time exemption in NET/SET; and end to the new norm of six classes per day.
 While the strike has already entered second month, the government is silent over the issue. The education in the colleges, however, has come to a grinding halt. 

Lastupdate on : Fri, 29 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 29 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST