Print Media Reports of the Movement of 16th Dec

The Success of the Movement of 16th Dec

Part time teachers from all corners of the State, assembled at Raja Subodh Mullick Squire, Kolkata, on Monday, 16th Dec, & marched in a long procession to Rani Rashmoni Squire, led by Mrs Elora Biswas, where the teachers in an attempt to depict their plight, at not receiving their monthly remuneration & demanding other benifits of a full time teacher, mock worshipped the cardboard effigy of the State Education Minister, & made the assembled onlookers, media & participants realize, that in spite of upholding the Higher Education infrastructure of the State for over the years, they are treated as second class citizens, who are not even considered honourable teachers by the State Government. Mrs Biswas was later escorted by the police to "Nabanna", the administrative headquarter of the State, where she has been reported to have presented to the Hon'ble Chief Minister, a deputation, stating the demands of part time teachers.

 

Movement on 16th Dec '13

Part time teachers across the State are requested to gather at Raja Subodh Mullick Squire(Wellington Squire, Central Kolkata) at 10 am, on 16th Dec, '13. The procession will move to Rani Rashmoni Avenue(Esplanade), where the teachers would raise their voices in demand of pay scale & other benefits of a full time teacher, following which Mrs Elora Biswas will move to Honorable Chief Minister's office to submit a deputation. All our friends, well wishers, people from all walks of life, who sincerely wish to stand beside the ailing teachers, are cordially invited to join us at the event.

Meeting at Barasat Press Club

A State Level Meeting of our association has been scheduled at Barasat Press Club on 10th December (Tuesday) at 2pm, to discuss details of our movement, scheduled on the 16th of this month. Members are requested to attend the meeting.

A rare privilege for a part time lecturer

In a very recent development the Principal of Ananda Chandra College, Jalpaiguri has appointed Mr. Moloy Kanti Das, a part time lecturer of his college, from the Deptt. of History, as teacher-in-charge, in his temporary absence from office. The decision was taken by the Principal amidst several oppositions from all full time teachers. Mr. Das was considered the most efficient among all the others present. This may be considered as a rare prestige for part time lecturers, who have till date been considered nothing worthwhile by most college authorities. Such decisions & hopefully many more in the days to come, will definitely strengthen the part time teachers movement in the State.

Recent Developments in Barasat Govt College

Ad hoc Puja Bonus: A Consolation

The govt has announced Ad-hoc puja bonus for all existing part time College & University teachers of the state on 30th Aug,'13, which though serves as a happy tiding for many, during festive seasons, is only but a meagre consolation prize for all the movements of part time teachers, till date. It is obvious for the Govt to feel that people who have nothing can be easily satisfied with very little that may be offered to them, but though, we appreciate the Govt decision of keeping in mind the miserable state of nearly 7000 College teachers, during festive seasons, still we want to emphasize that the primary demand of our association for pay scale for all part time teachers remains the foremost priority, along with the change of name of our teaching posts. We will fight for these demands to our last breath, if required. We require full dignity & recognition of our labour & dedication over the years, not in piecemeal or as a mere throwaway prize, but in a prestigious manner.

Print Media Coverage of the Movement of 19th August

A rain dripping dark cloud clapped Metro sky witnessed the assembly of hundreds of part time lecturers at Raja Subodh Mullick Squire, Kolkata, on 19th August.'13, from various colleges of the State under the able leadership of Elora Biswas, who marched in a long peaceful procession towards Y Channel, Dharamtala(Esplanade). Amidst heavy monsoon downpour, the procession with slogans in favour of the rights of part time teachers, & singing "We Shall Overcome", holding a huge half bust cut out of the State Higher Education Minister, Mr Bratya Basu, intending to show the man, the plight of several of his college teachers, gradually moved towards Esplanade. The cut out of the Minister was fanned by the teachers continually on the way, to show that he may rest like the supreme Lord, while numerous teachers suffer immensely. Arriving at the scheduled spot, escorted by a huge police force from all around, & constantly followed & interviewed by several print & electronic media on the way, the teachers halted & prepared for the ultimate protest show. Elora Biswas chanted a "strotram"(a religious chanting, meant to be a banter, in this case) of Bratya Basu & started worshiping the cut cut of the Minister putting a garland of "rotis" round his neck, joined in by a Hindu hymnal chanting, & followed by priestly rituals from all the teachers present. The teachers offered "Anjali to the Minister with torn pieces of Roti, to show the plight of the teachers who themselves ignored & unfed have been feeding the Higher Education Deptt of the State for decades.

All these have been taking place in front of the huge police barricade in front & Higher police officers eager to know about the next move of our association. Following the "Bratya Puja", Mrs Elora Biswas along with Mr. Haripada Pradhan, were escorted by the police to Writers Building, Kolkata to present their deputation. The impact of the movement, as reported by Mrs Biswas later, on the total atmosphere of the Writers Building, The Administrative Headquarter of the State, has been quite astounding. The Govt has been intimated in clear terms, that until the legitimate demands of these exploited teachers are met, the teachers will take to the streets time & again against the Govt policy of torment & exploitation.

News of our Movement in Rajasthan Patrika

The News of our Movement  on 19th August, '13(From Subodh Mullick Squire to Writers Building, Kolkata) has been published in Rajasthan Patrika on 18th August(Kolkata Edition) in advance, thus highlighting its importance.

We demand immediate Abolishment of the term "Part time Lecturer"

It has been a long standing demand of our association that the much humiliating & derogatory term "Part time Lecturer" should be thoroughly abolished, replacing it with a respectable designation like "Essential Professor". Unfortunately the Govt has turned a deaf ear to this meagre appeal of those teachers, who bear the maximum load in sustaining & nurturing the Higher Education Infrastructure of the State. It is shameful affair that in a civilized society teachers are discriminated against, both by their students & their full time colleagues, on grounds of their derogatory designation.

The Meeting at Barasat Press Club

The meeting at Barasat Press Club on 16th August, '13 was attended by part time lecturers from different colleges of North 24 Pgs, to discuss the proposed agenda of 19th August, 13. Members unanimously agreed on the issue that all recent Govt Orders remain orders in black & white, without implementation. The financial exploitation of part time lecturers continue in various colleges of West Bengal. Under the circumstances, forced by dire financial necessity, these teachers are compelled by the Govt to move to the streets, ethically & morally demanding rights & privileges of full time teachers.

Meeting at Barasat Press Club

To arrive at some important decisions regarding our march on 19th August, & to discuss some upcoming issues & problems related to & of part time teachers, all part time teachers of the state are requested to attend a meeting at Barasat Press Club (Near Champadali More) on 16th August, '13 at 2pm.

March to acquire Rights on 19th August, '13

All part time teacher of the State are requested to assemble at Raja Subodh Mullick Square (Wellington Square/Crossing) Kolkata on 19th August, 2013, at 10 am, to march for acquiring our rights, in a procession towards Writers Building, Kolkata to submit a deputation to the Hon'ble Chief Minister. It is a march to make it clear to the State Govt that the part time teachers, of the State claim all rights of a full time college teacher, because they skillfully serve the Govt & their respective colleges in every possible way, performing  admission, invigilation, & even election duties & all other administrative jobs in many colleges quite like any full time teacher. In some cases the earnest services rendered by part time teachers in many colleges are simply no match to that rendered by many full time teachers, enjoying wide financial benefits. Govt orders regarding part time teachers are not executed in time & colleges move in perpetual sloth regarding sending monthly remuneration bills for part time teachers, as declared by the govt only a few days back. Teachers are paid once in a year in present times of utter financial crisis. The motto of the higher education authorities seem to be: MAKE PART TIME TEACHERS WORK HARDER, PAYING THEM LESS. In protest of such age old injustice & exploitation we appeal to all sections of people to support the lawful cause of these hapless teachers, & walk hand in hand along with us on the 19th of August, in our march towards acquiring our rights as full time teachers. Keeping in mind the services of the part time teachers in sustaining the Higher Education infrastructure of the State, their unflinching dedication towards their students, alongside with their deprivations by the Govt, people from everyday walks of life are requested to join hands with us on the 19th of this month, raise their voices of protest against such inhuman attitude,to make the govt feel how society cries for justice.

Snapshots from the State Conference at West Midnapore

Mrs Elora Biswas presided over the State General Meeting at West Midnapore on 16th June,'13. The snapshots of the day speak of the success of the meeting.

State Level Meeting at West Midnapore

A State level Meeting of our association has been scheduled at Shyam Sangha, Station Rd, Midnapore Town, West Midnapore, (Opposite to Church School) on 16th June,'13, Sunday, at 10.30 am. Mrs Elora Biswas will preside at the meeting. All pat time teachers across the State are requested to attend the meeting.  Teachers with queries regarding the present state of our movement & our future course of action, should definitely attend this meeting to know everything in greater details from Mrs Biswas. For any further query on the issue please contact Mr. Haripada Pradhan-9932883998

Meeting at Barasat Rescheduled

Due to certain unavoidable circumstances, the pre-announced meeting of the association of 25th May,'13, at Barasat Press Club, has been re-scheduled on the day before i.e 24th May(Friday) at 2pm, venue remaining unchanged.

A nominal & partial increase of Remuneration

The State Govt has declared a nominal & partial increase of remuneration for a section of part time teachers of the state, which may be said to be far from being satisfactory. It is certainly not what the part time teachers have been demanding for a long period of time. Under the present circumstances all the part time teachers are requested to join hands, unitedly to fight for our primary demand for pay scale for all existing part time teachers. Once the demand for our pay scale is adhered to, we would achieve everything, we had been fighting for, till date.

Enhancement of Remuneration for all part time lecturers

Reliable sources have reported that the remuneration of existing part time lecturers of the State, is going to be enhanced shortly by a Govt. Order to that effect. Our members across the State are requested to keep close track of all forthcoming events & developments, to this effect.

State Level Meeting at Barasat

A State Level Meeting of the Association has been scheduled at Barasat Press Club on 25th May,'13(Saturday) at 11 am. Members across the State are requested to attend the meeting.

State Level Meeting at Barasat a big success

Members from various colleges assembled at Barasat Press Club, near Champadali More on 27th April, to decide future course of action. Members presented valuable suggestions, followed by an elaborate & encouraging address by Elora Biswas, who enlivened the situation by making others believe in the need for a struggle for our further prospects.The meeting turned out to be a big success, with the firm assurance from Elora Biswas that in staying & moving together unitedly, we can definitely make the govt think in positive terms about us.

Monthly Remuneration for all PTTs from 01.04.2013 onwards

In a historic & benevolent move, the State Govt as a result of constant discussion at various levels with Elora Biswas, during the past few months, with State Govt's higher officials, has finally issued a GO on 10th April,'13 declaring that from 01.04.13 onwards all existing PTTs will receive monthly remuneration quite like full time teachers of colleges. This is indeed a big feather in the cap of our association. The movement will now continue for our equal rights, at par with full time teachers, like pay scale, five days' work & other benefits. We will have to struggle till our ultimate goal is achieved. This is quite a big victory for our association but let us pledge not to stop here but proceed even further until we are receive our honour & privileges like the full time teachers.(Link given below)
 http://higherednwb.net/documents/govt_orders/2013/april/Submission%20of%20claims%20for%20remuneration%20of%20the%20existing%20Part-time%20teachers%28PTTS%29%20and%20Contractual%20Whole%20time%20teachers%28CWTTs%29.pdf

State Level Meeting

A State Level general meeting has been scheduled on 27th April,'13(Saturday) at Barasat Press Club near Champadali More, at 2pm. All part-time teachers, across the state are requested to attend the meeting.

Venue of District Meeting Changed

Due to unavoidable circumstances the venue for the District Meeting of North 24 Pgs, scheduled on the 30th March,2013(Saturday), has been changed to Barasat Press Club(Near Champadali More Bus Stand, & BLRO Office, Barasat). All part time teachers from North 24 Pgs are requested to be present at 2.30pm at the venue.

Part-Time Teachers' Issue Raised in the Assembly

Following Mrs Elora Biswas' fruitful & extensive discussion with them, the Hon'ble INC & The Left MLA's of the State Legislative Assembly, has been raising the part-time teachers' issue nearly every day, during the current ongoing session of the House. The opposition MLA's have thus been treating the part-time teachers' issue quite sympathetically & sensitively. Looking forward to a generous & benevolent decision on the part of the State Govt on this issue. 

Meeting of North 24 Pgs District at Barasat on 30th March

Members of our association from the district of North 24 Pgs have ardently felt the need & have thereby strongly desired, to convey an emergency district level meeting at Barasat, at the earliest. Accordingly, an emergency meeting has been scheduled on 30th March(Sunday), at Barasat (K.N.C Road, the lane Opposite to Sreeniketan; from Barasat P.S towards Haritala More) at 3pm. All part time teachers from North 24 Pgs are requested to attend the meeting, to discuss the strategies to be adopted, in our movement, keeping in view some recent developments.

Recent Developments at the Legislative Assembly

Mrs Elora Biswas, along with Mr Haripada Pradhan, today met senior leaders of INC & the Left groups at the State Legislative Assembly, & had a fruitful discussion on the part-time teachers' issue, following which, Md. Sohrab of INC raised the issue at the Assembly. The INC leaders along with the Left, extended their full support to the part-time teachers' movement. Mrs Biswas is also said to have met Mr Suryakanta Mishra, the leader of the opposition at the House, who assured Biswas that he will look into this matter seriously so that this issue might be raised in the House recurrently.

Recent Developments

Our valued members are hereby informed that a section of part time teachers are claiming a donation from other members of our association for the sake of continuing the movement. Our members across the state are therefore requested NOT to donate any amount, to any member/group, for the sake of our movement, if they do not want their hard earned money to be squandered in any way whatsoever.
Our association is working hard to bring about a positive response in favour of all the existing part time teachers of the state, though the process may turn out to be a bit time consuming. Members are requested to bear with their problems for a little more time. Any positive result/outcome of our efforts will be intimated to all our members without delay. Stay with us with a little more patience & we will surely reach our goal.