<p>Chikkaballapur: A clerical error at the Chikkaballapur Block Education Office (BEO) has delayed the payment of the March month’s honorarium for 65 guest teachers working in various government primary schools across the taluk.</p><p>Despite the lapse of four months, the teachers continue to await their dues.</p><p>The issue stemmed from a data entry mistake in which a Rs 10 lakh fund request was mistakenly recorded as Rs 1 lakh. This resulted in a shortfall of funds that prevented the release of the second installment of payments.</p><p>The affected teachers, each entitled to a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000, have made repeated appeals to local MLAs and the BEO, but to no avail.</p><p>The error was acknowledged in April by the then BEO, who has since retired. In a letter to the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), the officer explained that although a Rs 10 lakh fund request had been submitted for the payment of the second installment of honorarium, it was incorrectly mentioned as Rs 1 lakh due to oversight.</p><p>So far, Rs 48.41 lakh has been sanctioned to Chikkaballapur taluk for guest teacher payments in the 2024–25 academic year, including Rs 47.41 lakh in the first installment and Rs 1 lakh in the second. Of this, Rs 48.19 lakh has already been utilised, leaving just Rs 21,725 unspent. The BEO has now sought an additional Rs 6.5 lakh to clear the pending dues.</p><p>While guest teachers in all other taluks of the district have already received their March payments, those in Chikkaballapur taluk remain the only ones still unpaid.</p><p><strong>Urgent action sought</strong></p><p>The Guest Teachers’ Association has also submitted a formal appeal demanding the immediate release of the pending honorarium. It has called on education officials and elected representatives to address the issue without further delay, stating that negligence is affecting the livelihoods of those who serve in crucial teaching roles across rural schools.</p><p><strong>‘Living on minimum wages’</strong></p><p>“We continue to work with honesty despite being paid a meagre salary. Most guest teachers are living below the poverty line. Surviving on just Rs 10,000 — the minimum honorarium — has become a struggle,” Chikkaballapur District Guest Teachers’ Association president Rajappa told DH.</p><p>“We have completed all academic activities related to the previous academic year. Yet, even after four months, the March honorarium has not reached us — it’s truly unfortunate. We have also submitted a request to the local MLA’s office,” he said, urging the authorities to ensure the pending payments are released promptly.</p>
<p>Chikkaballapur: A clerical error at the Chikkaballapur Block Education Office (BEO) has delayed the payment of the March month’s honorarium for 65 guest teachers working in various government primary schools across the taluk.</p><p>Despite the lapse of four months, the teachers continue to await their dues.</p><p>The issue stemmed from a data entry mistake in which a Rs 10 lakh fund request was mistakenly recorded as Rs 1 lakh. This resulted in a shortfall of funds that prevented the release of the second installment of payments.</p><p>The affected teachers, each entitled to a monthly honorarium of Rs 10,000, have made repeated appeals to local MLAs and the BEO, but to no avail.</p><p>The error was acknowledged in April by the then BEO, who has since retired. In a letter to the Deputy Director of Public Instruction (DDPI), the officer explained that although a Rs 10 lakh fund request had been submitted for the payment of the second installment of honorarium, it was incorrectly mentioned as Rs 1 lakh due to oversight.</p><p>So far, Rs 48.41 lakh has been sanctioned to Chikkaballapur taluk for guest teacher payments in the 2024–25 academic year, including Rs 47.41 lakh in the first installment and Rs 1 lakh in the second. Of this, Rs 48.19 lakh has already been utilised, leaving just Rs 21,725 unspent. The BEO has now sought an additional Rs 6.5 lakh to clear the pending dues.</p><p>While guest teachers in all other taluks of the district have already received their March payments, those in Chikkaballapur taluk remain the only ones still unpaid.</p><p><strong>Urgent action sought</strong></p><p>The Guest Teachers’ Association has also submitted a formal appeal demanding the immediate release of the pending honorarium. It has called on education officials and elected representatives to address the issue without further delay, stating that negligence is affecting the livelihoods of those who serve in crucial teaching roles across rural schools.</p><p><strong>‘Living on minimum wages’</strong></p><p>“We continue to work with honesty despite being paid a meagre salary. Most guest teachers are living below the poverty line. Surviving on just Rs 10,000 — the minimum honorarium — has become a struggle,” Chikkaballapur District Guest Teachers’ Association president Rajappa told DH.</p><p>“We have completed all academic activities related to the previous academic year. Yet, even after four months, the March honorarium has not reached us — it’s truly unfortunate. We have also submitted a request to the local MLA’s office,” he said, urging the authorities to ensure the pending payments are released promptly.</p>