Govt misguiding public, says activist

ACICM convenor M Lakshmana alleged that the state government was misguiding the people by issuing advertisements, which state that PU college principals and lecturers receive Rs 29,400 as salary.

Addressing a media conference here on Sunday, Lakshmana said education minister Vishveshwara Hegade Kageri and chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda have claimed through advertisements that PU lecturers are being paid Rs 29,400, which is incorrect.

The state government is making the claim based on HRA of 25 per cent being provided to lecturers in Bangalore city.

Several other states have implemented the recommendations of the ninth pay commission, but the Karnataka government is yet to implement the recommendations of sixth pay commission.

The basic is Rs 11,400, DA is Rs 7,923, ex-gratia of Rs 200, HRA of Rs 684 and interim relief of Rs 1,700 is being provided by the government. The total salary is Rs 21,917 and government should immediately increase the salary of PU lecturers and principals, he said.

The state government is citing drought as a reason and is wasting time. Answer scripts of 35 lakh students have to be evaluated. A statewide bundh is being planned on April 20, Lakshmana added.

Former deputy mayor Pushpavalli, Chetan and Bhagyaraju were present at the media conference.