Upgraded teachers not paid for last two months

Rawalpindi:As many as 300 teachers working in Rawalpindi educational institutions run by Punjab government have so far not received their salaries for the last two months, creating unrest among them.

Sources told The News that these PS teachers were accommodated from the schools where the staff was surplus into the 43 upgraded government schools. Initially they regularly received ps their salaries, but for the last two months they had not received their emoluments.

Sources revealed that the reason behind non-payment of salaries was shortage of funds. The sources also revealed a government plan of not paying further salaries to the surplus teachers, which could further aggravate the situation.

Similarly, due to funds shortage, the Punjab Government has ordered the city district government not to induct more teachers in upgraded schools till further orders.

Talking to The News a number of these teachers said that they were facing great financial crunch due to non-payment of salaries for the last two months and as the Eidul Fitr was around the corner they had no idea, how would they be able to manage their finances.

On the other hand, the representatives of Teachers Unions and associations have demanded of the Punjab government, the city district government, the Education Directorate and other concerned quarters like DDOs to take immediate and effective measures for clearance of two months emoluments before Eidul Fitr, enabling the affected teachers to celebrate their Eid with dignity. If the dues of two months salaries are not cleared before Eid, then the representatives of All Punjab Teachers Association and SES Teachers Association would launch a protest campaign.

All Punjab Teachers Association President Saghir Aalam and SES Teachers Association President Shafiq Balawalia told this scribe that the strategy of the protest plan would be chalked out during their meetings, which would take place after Eidul Fitr. However, the initial plan would include complete strike by hundreds of teachers in provincial government schools all over Punjab.

Executive Director Education (Rawalpindi) Qazi Zahoor told this scribe that he has issued directions to the concerned quarters including Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) of their respective areas to release two months emoluments to the teachers serving in upgraded schools. He said that the emoluments were not cleared because a separate budget for payment of teachers of upgraded schools was prepared by DDOs. They have been directed to pay the dues before Eidul Fitr. The matter would be resolved amicably preventing other teachers from protesting on the call of the All Punjab Teachers Association and SES Teachers Association, the EDO assured.The news.