Disparity in benefits irks rural teachers

Accuse State government of bias in favour of urban teachers, lecturers

Members of the Chikkaballapur District Primary School Teachers’ Association, High School Teachers’ Association, Pre-University and Degree College Lecturers’ Association protested in front of the deputy commissioner’s office on Wednesday.

The members were protesting against the State government’s step-motherly treatment with regards to the house rent allowance of the teachers and lecturers serving in the urban and rural areas.

Addressing the protesters, President of the High School Teachers’ Association, K L Shrinivas said the BJP-led State government had been adopting a step-motherly attitude towards high school teachers serving in the rural areas. While their urban counterparts serving in the schools, pre-university and degree colleges were enjoying all the benefits.

Additional facilities

He said the teachers and lecturers in the urban areas were getting all the additional facilities, while the teachers and lecturers in the rural areas were deprived of any benefits.

While presenting the budget, the Chief Minister had completely ignored the rural areas. Jagadish Shettar had assured that the welfare of the teachers and lecturers in the rural areas would be safeguarded. This was nothing but utter injustice to us, he added.

‘Deceived’

If the disparity between us continued, then the teachers and lecturers would rush to the streets in protest. There are as many as 5.7 lakh teachers and lecturers in the State. All of them had been deprived and deceived, he said, which would be vehemently opposed by one and all, he warned.

President of the District High School Head Masters’ Association Jagadish Reddy, General Secretary of the District Primary School Teachers’ Association Gopal Reddy, President of the District High School Teachers’ Association Venkataramana Reddy, General Secretary of the Chikkaballapur Taluk Primary Teachers’ Association Gopal Krishna and several others were present on the occasion.