ITANAGAR, Oct 5: Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) teachers posted at various schools under Changlang district on October 4 submitted a joint representation to the Chief Secretary demanding enhancement of pay and Child Care Leave (CCL), failing which they would approach the court of law.
Referring to the State of Punjab and Others Vs Jagjit Singh and Others reported in 2017, 1 CC, 148, the teachers sought enhancement of their payments while applying the principle of ‘Equal pay for equal work’.
The teachers pointed out that besides not being paid on a regular basis they were also paid lower amounts of salaries in comparison to regular teachers in the same posts.
This, they said was contrary to the provisions of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India.
Praying for grant of CCL, including maternity leave and paternity leave, the teachers of Changlang district reasoned that grant of CCL was necessary in the interest of the new mother and the child.
“Unless CCL is granted to the parent, the interest and benefit of the child is jeopardized”, it said.
It also referred to the Doli Gogoi Vs State of Assam and others, reported in 2017, 3 Gau LR, 247, and said that denial of the CCL was violation of the fundamental rights enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which speaks of the Directive Principles of State Policy, requiring the state to make provisions for securing just and human conditions of work and for maternity leave.
Similar representations were also forwarded to the Education Secretary, Director of Elementary Education, Special Secretary Education and State Project Director of SSA, besides copies sent to the Ministry of MHRD and Secretary School Education and Literacy.
