Rajasthan: Talks with Edu Min fail; Grade III teachers continue protest in Jaipur

Jaipur, Aug 5 (IANS) Talks between Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar and representatives of protesting Grade III teachers ended without a breakthrough on Wednesday, prompting many teachers to leave the protest site at Jaipur’s Shaheed Smarak in disappointment.

Grade III teachers from across Rajasthan had gathered at Shaheed Smarak to demand the implementation of a long-pending transfer policy, transparency in the deputation process and the resolution of several pending service-related issues.

The teachers warned that if the government fails to take a positive decision, they will intensify their agitation in the coming days. As the protest gained momentum, Education Minister Madan Dilawar invited a five-member delegation of teachers for discussions.

Before the meeting, Surajbhan Singh, patron of the teachers’ association, symbolically carried a “bundle of grievances” to highlight the unresolved issues faced by teachers. However, the meeting concluded without any agreement.

Mahesh Kumar Saini, State Co-convener of the Grade III Teachers’ Struggle Committee, said no consensus was reached during the discussions. He added that the Education Minister reiterated that Grade III teachers cannot be transferred and gave no concrete assurance.

“We will continue and strengthen our agitation,” he said.

Following the inconclusive talks, several teachers began leaving the protest venue, expressing disappointment over the outcome. During the protest, the administration disconnected the electricity supply to the protest site, while police removed the generator being used to power the sound system. Police officials informed the protesters that permission for the demonstration had been granted only until 4 p.m.

A large contingent of police personnel, including women officers, was deployed at Shaheed Smarak to maintain law and order.

Sunil Mahla, State Convener of the Grade III Teachers’ Struggle Committee, alleged that the Rajasthan government had failed to honour its election promise of introducing transfers for Grade III teachers within 100 days of assuming office.

He said the government came to power promising transfers for Grade III teachers, but more than two years have passed without any action.

“We will not give up. Our agitation will continue until our demands are met,” Mahla said.

He added that the movement has now expanded beyond the demand for transfers, with protesters also seeking the resignation of Education Minister Madan Dilawar. The teachers have maintained that their sit-in protest will continue until the government announces a concrete decision on their demands.

–IANS

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