All Manipur College Teachers Association struggle
STRUGGLE OF ALL MANIPUR COLLECE TEACHERS’
ASSOCIATION (AMCTA) MANIPUR.
DEMAND of AMCTA: The All Manipur Collage Teachers’ Association (AMCTA) has been consistently demanding the enhancement of the age of superannuation of College Teachers at 62 years as per the Revised UGC scheme, 1996. But the government of Manipur has never conceded to the genuine demand of College Teachers. At Present College teachers of our state retire at 59 years, which is the same as that of other sections of government employees. Since neither the age of superannuation has been enhanced nor new recruitments has been done for the last many years there is a big shortage of teachers in the government Colleges. Thus while the required number of teachers in the existing 28 Govt. Colleges is 1918 as per the Manipur University Ordinance, there are only 888 teachers as on 1st April 2008. The absence of such large number of teachers would certainly give adverse impact on Higher Education of the state.
Struggle: To highlight the issue to the public, the members of AMCTA with other like-minded College teachers had organised a mass rally “March to Manipur State Legislative Assembly” on the 22nd February 2008, while the session was going on, with festoons and banners in hands demanding the age of superannuation as per UGC scheme, appointment of regular Principals, filling up the Vacant Posts etc. the rally was banned on the way by the security personnels before reaching the Assembly Hall. However, memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister and also to the Education Minister. On the next day i.e the 23rd February, the representatives of AMCTA held a meeting with the Chief Minister and the Education Minister in the office chamber of the Chief Minister. But no agreement could be arrived at. Rather, the matter of the teachers was turned down by the cabinet meeting held on the 27th February 2008.
Now as a follow up action, the aggrieved teachers have started mobillisation for mass resignation.
Role of Prof. Asok Kumar Barman, General Secretary AIFUCTO.
As communicated by Prof. P. Laingam Singh, President AMCTA, The General Secretary, AIFUCTO, Prof Ashok Kumar Barman had appealed to all the units of AIFUCTO to support the struggle of AMCTA and also to send Fax to the Chief Minister of Manipur requesting him to fulfill the demand of AMCTA without delay.
Date: 10.03.2008: The General Secretary AIFUCTO Visited Manipur on 10th March 2008 in connection with the ongoing struggle of AMCTA. He arrived at Imphal at late hours by Air Deccan Flight due to the sudden cancellation of Indian Airlines Flight.
However, his presence was very important .He was received by the members of AMCTA at the Imphal Airport. Just after his arrival a big meeting of College Teachers was held at Imphal College, Imphal at 3.30 pm. He addressed the meeting and highlighted that the UGC scheme is a composite scheme and the age of superannuation of University and College Teachers is an important component of the scheme. He reiterated that the demand of AMCTA should be fulfilled by the state Government without delay. In case, the government fails to extend the age, the Teacher leaders from all part of the country would assemble at Imphal to organise various forms of democratic movement.
Prof. P. Laingam Singh, in his speech expressed that in the absence of more than half of the required number of teachers, non-appointment of regular Principals in all the Colleges for two decades and the inadequate infrastructure, Higher Education is sliding back day by day. He also pointed out that all the North – East States except Manipur had already extended the age of superannuation.
Meeting With the Chief Minister
At 8.30 p.m. of the same day Prof. A.K. Barman with the leaders of AMCTA. held a meeting with the Chief Minister of Manipur at his office chamber. After a thorough discussion on the demands of the teachers, the C.M. assured the teachers that he would consider the matter as early as possible. Prof. A.K. Barman congratulated the C.M. on his valuable assurance. He also insisted upon the C.M. to fulfill the demands without delay.
Meeting with the Education Minister
Dated 11.03.2008. Prof. A.K. Barman with the leaders of AMCTA met the Education Minister at his quarters at 10.30 am and had a healthy discussion on the demands of the AMCTA .The Minister expressed his willingness to implement the age of superannuation and assured the teachers that he would discuss the matter with the C.M. Prof. Barman thanked the E.M. and invited him to the conferences of the AIFUTO in future.
Press Meet.
At 10.45 a press meet was held at the Manipur Press Club, Imphal In the meeting Prof. A.K. Barman reported to media that the AMCTA is a strong unit of AIFUCTO and the issue of AMCTA has now become the issue of AIFUCTO at the national level .He asserted that if the Govt. fails to fulfill the demands as assured by the C.M and the E.M., teacher leaders from all the states would come to Manipur and intensify the struggle at the national level. He also decried to know that many experienced teachers had retired from service before attaining 62 years due to the non-implementation of the age of superannuation in time. The meet was ended with thanks by prof. P. Laingam Later on, Prof. Barman, after having breakfast with the members of AMCTA, left Imphal by 12.40 Flight. The address of Prof. Barman was covered widely in the local dailies and the local T.V. channel which was extremely meaningful in highlighting the compositeness of the UGC scheme to the public and the Government in particular.
Prof.Ch.Rita Devi
Joint Secretary
All Manipur College Teachers’Association (AMCTA)
Manipur