Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) teachers from 17 districts under the aegis of Nagaland RMSA Teachers Association (NRMSATA) 2016 batch converged at the Directorate of School Education (DoSE) Kohima on Monday beginning a sit-in protest against the state government’s failure to implement their legally resolved issue regarding service benefits and rightful dues upheld by the Supreme Court of India.
President NRMSATA-2016, Imlitemjen informed that the association had held two meetings subsequently on at September 2 and 3 with department officials and with the Advisor of School Education. Subsequently, the association kept its September 5 agitation on abeyance, however, there has been no action from the state government, thereby prompting the association to stage its protest.
Association spokesperson Renbemo L Patton highlighted that the state government had not followed the Central guidelines. He said the RSMA teachers were to be appointed at regular basis at par with state cadre. Patton said that the High Court ruled in their favour in 2022 while the Supreme Court also upheld the same.
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Stating that the association has the mandate of both the High Court and Supreme Court, Patton maintained that as far as the documentation is concerned they have clearance from P&AR and Finance department.
The spokesperson pointed out that it is time for the government to implement the teachers’ rightful demand. “We have waited for such a long period of time. It’s already 9 years and 7 months to be precise. Without any further delay we request the government to implement the scale pay at the earliest possible,” he asserted.
Regarding the review petition filed by the government, Patton stated it was yet to be accepted by the court. “The stay order is not given by the court, so the judgement that has been passed in the high court is still in force,” he stated .
“Until and unless we get a positive response from the government, we will go to any extent. This agitation will intensify. We will go ahead with hunger strike if the government does not come up with any positive results,” the association spokesperson informed.
He also mentioned that the aggrieved teachers have no intention to be sitting outside DoSE and they are all eager to return to their schools and be in the midst of their students carrying out their duty, but if justice and the teachers’ rights are denied then they have no other choice but to ask the department for what is right.
The NRMSA teachers of 2016 batch comprises of 367 people who are deputed across 133 government high schools in 17 districts of Nagaland.
