Nagaland University Teachers’ Association (NUTA) Kohima-Meriema, NUTA Lumami and All Nagaland College Teachers Association (ANGCTA) on Tuesday participated in the nation-wide “black day” called by All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisations (AIFUCTO).
AIFUCTO called for the “black day” as it was agitated over the possible move of cutting down government of India’s assistance to states for implementing the Seventh UGC Pay Revision. Federation of Central Universities Teachers’ Association (FEDCUTA) and AIFRUCTO (All India federation of Retired Teachers) had also extended support to the call.
In Kohima, NUTA Kohima campus, Meriema, joined the one day nationwide “black day” informed its president, Professor, N. Das and general secretary, Dr. Tiatoshi Jamir.
The press note informed that NUTA Kohima showed solidarity to the FEDCUTA and AIFUCTO in protest against the non-declaration of the Chauhan Pay Review Committee Report.
It said the protest was also against government’s agenda for privatisation of higher education and commercialisation by turning universities and colleges into self-financing institutions through graded autonomy and autonomous colleges. NUTA Kohima informed that all academic activities in the campus remained suspended for the day.
NUTA Lumami: NUTA Lumami also partook in the nationwide “black day” by wearing black badges as a protest against non-declaration of 7th UGC Pay Review Committee Report and Government agenda for privatization of Higher Education.
This was informed in a press note by NUTA Lumami president, Dr. Lanusashi Longkumer and general secretary, Dr. Athungo Ovung.
ANGCTA: ANGCTA observed “black day” at Kohima College as per the call of AIFUCTO in solidarity with teachers all over the country.
A press note by ANGCTA president, Dr. Imtiwati Jamir and general secretary, Dr. Phyobenthung informed that the main demands of teachers are immediate release of 7th UGC Pay Review Committee Report, 100% central assistance for the 7th RoP, oppose budget cuts in education and commercialisation of education by the central government etc.
It may be mentioned that the UGC Pay Review Committee had submitted its recommendation to the UGC which was forwarded to the MHRD in February 2017. However the MHRD is neither releasing nor implementing it. Hence AIFUCTO has been holding a series of protests by organising a Nationwide Demand Day on April 17, 2017, a protest rally at Jantar Mandar, New Delhi on July 24, 2017, and Black Day on August 22, 2017, and plans to court arrest on Teacher’s Day, September 5, at New Delhi, if the demands are not met.