Proceedings at the State Legislative Assembly on 19th March

The part-time teachers' issue & its related problems were raised during the session at the State Legislative Assembly(Bidhan Sabha) twice, on Monday, the 10th of March, by Hon'ble legislators, thanks to the relentless efforts of Elora Biswas, who have pledged to surface the sufferings of these hapless college & university teachers. Mrs. Biswas being present at the House, on the occassion, later reported to the spokesperson, that her objective is to make the govt think in positive terms on this issue, in the current budget session of the Assembly. The association is hopefully looking forward to a humane decision on the part of the State Govt, on this issue, which will safeguard the rights & privileges of all part-time teachers of the State.  

Article in the Editorial Column of ABP on 22nd March

Print Media Feedback of the Protest March on 11th March,'12

Our friends & associates are requested to visit the "Voices of Protest" page for print media feedback on our movement on 11th March,'12(March of protest, for pay scale from Gariahat More to Hazra Crossing & Agitation)

The Movement on 11th March,'12

Part-time teachers assembled in large numbers at Gariahat More on 11th March,'12(Sunday) & moved in a protest rally towards Hazra More, via Rashbehari Avenue, Kolkata. Hundreds of print & electronic media followed the rally, & some even made live telecasts of the rally instantly on their respective channels. On reaching Hazra More, police officials blocked the road, to check further advance of the rally towards CM's residence. When Elora Biswas demanded that teachers who have been deprived of their remuneration for the last one year, must talk to the CM, about it, the police officers rejected their plea, Biswas along with hundreds of teachers squatted down on the street demanding the CM's appointment. It was at this very moment that large forces of police battalion, who'd already assembled at the spot, brutally manhandled Prof. Biswas & the other teachers, when they were virtually dragged form the street into the police prison vans, waiting beside, for the purpose & were taken to police headquarters at Lalbazar. However, the movement itself made a great impact on the govt, & owing to it Mrs. Biswas along with other teachers were treated rather generously at Lalbazar, as sources reported. After a detention of nearly four hours, Biswas along with her colleagues came out victoriously from Lalbazar, making an epoch making event in the history of Part-time teachers' movement in West Bengal. Later, at night Mrs Biswas was informed over phone from police headquarters that the CM had conceded to give her an appointment on the following day at 1pm, at Writers' Building, Kolkata. This may be ascribed to the tremendous success & impact of our movement.

The news in Anandabazar Patrika & our subsequent movement for Rights

Our friends & associates all over West Bengal are requested to note that the news published in Anandabazar Patrika(Page 10) on 10th March,12, declaring the Higher Education Committee's recommendation that the part-time teachers, the contractual teachers & guest lecturers be brought under the same category, may be seen as the victory of the Movements of our association on 30th January & 24th February, this current year. Only a few days back, a news published in Anandabazar Patrika had declared the Govt's decision to reduce part time teachers to Group C & Group D category staff in colleges, which was only a means of humiliating & insulting thousands of teachers of the State, who had rendered unquestionable service to the Govt. over a long period of time. Due to our movement, the Govt has finally decided to bring all the categories of teachers under the same roof. To sustain this wave of revolutionary movement, that has finally led the State Govt to think about our situation, all part time, guest & contractual teachers across the State are requested to assemble at Gariahat More, Kolkata, at 11 am, on 11th March,'12(Sunday). The rally will therefrom proceed towards the Chief Minister's residence.

March against Govt decision on 11th March

The West Bengal Govt has decided to impose a restriction/ban on the democratic movements & agitations of College & University teachers, including that of part-time teachers. A bill, to this effect is going to be placed at the State Legislative Assembly in the current month. To protest against this forthcoming bill & in demand of a suitable pay-scale for all part time teachers, part time teachers across the state are requested at gather at Gariahat More, Kolkata, on 11th March,'12(Sunday) at 11 am. The protest rally will start from that place, after the teachers have assembled.