Srinagar, Sep 5: On Monday when teachers were celebrating their day everywhere, the regularized Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers staged a protest here against government’s decision to deny them pension benefits.
 Scores of ReT teachers assembled at Press Enclave here this afternoon and staged a sit-in. “We were forced to work on meager honorarium and now pension benefits are being denied to us,” they said.
 They demanded that their probation period should be included under the ambit of pension benefits under order no. 115 of 2008. They accused the government of violating the order. “We also went to Finance Minister but he did not pay any heed to our demands” said Ashiq Hussain, a teacher.
 They said that ReT teachers would celebrate Teachers Day as Black Day till their demands are met.
 The chairman of Teachers Forum Abdul Qayoom said they recently met Chief Minister and he asked the concerned officials to look into the matter.
 When contacted Commissioner Secretary School Education Naseema Lankar, said, “They are coming under the new scheme.”
 But she did not elaborate and disconnected the phone.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 5 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Mecca time
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