February 27: The anger of computer teachers over the Punjab government’s delaying tactics in reinstating their rights is continuously rising. The hunger strike by computer teachers outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Sangrur has completed six months, but the teachers are not ready to end their struggle without the restoration of their rights.

As part of this ongoing agitation, computer teachers today performed their duties wearing black turbans, black scarves, and black bands, staging a massive protest against the government’s breach of promises. School staff also joined in support, appealing to the Punjab government to fulfill the teachers’ demands at the earliest.

Government’s ‘Assurance’, But Outcome ‘Zero’

The state leaders of the Computer Teachers Hunger Strike Struggle Committee, including Parmveer Singh Pammi, Pradeep Kumar Malooka, Lakhwinder Singh, Jaspal, Nardeep Sharma, Sushil Angural, Gurbaksh Lal, Udham Singh Dogra, Rakesh Saini, Ranjit Singh, Mandeep Mangotra, Rajwant Kaur, Harjinder Kaur, Bavleen Kaur, Sandeep Kaur, and others, stated that they had held several meetings with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains over the past six months, but no concrete outcome had emerged. Each time, they were sent back with mere assurances.

In the meeting with the Principal Secretary (Finance Department) on February 3 and 4, an agreement was reached to implement unrevised DA or the Sixth Pay Commission. Officials promised to issue the notification within two days, but no orders have been issued to date.

Announcement of Rally Outside CM’s House in Sangrur

The Struggle Committee unanimously decided to hold a state-level rally outside Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s residence in Sangrur on March 2. Besides computer teachers, other teachers’ organizations, employee unions, student unions, farmer organizations, and labor unions will also participate in this protest.

Regarding their demands, the computer teachers clarified that they are not making any new demands. They only seek the restoration of all their rights, the benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission, and their merger into the Education Department. They also demanded appropriate financial assistance and government jobs for the families of computer teachers who have passed away during this struggle.

The committee leaders warned that if the government fails to restore their rightful demands in time, the struggle will be intensified, and the responsibility will lie entirely with the Punjab government and the concerned department.