September 03, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
The teaching faculty of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has been continuously protesting for the resolution of their long-standing demands, including the revision of allowances and gratuity, disbursement of revised pay arrears effective from January 1, 2016, repeal of the basic pay notification and addressing pay parity concerns, reinstatement of the old pension scheme, revision of pensions for teachers who retired before 2016, disbursement of pending DA instalments.
These benefits of enhanced allowances and gratuity have been availed by the university teachers across Punjab since October 2022 and by the Pb Govt employees since July 2021.
Since August 22, 2024, PAU teachers have been staging sit-in dharnas and taking out protest rallies on the campus and regional stations across Punjab. Despite 13 days of peaceful protest, the state government and PAU administration have unfortunately failed to provide any satisfactory response.
In light of the government and PAU administration’s apathetic and dismissive approach toward their grievances, the Punjab Agricultural University Teachers’ Association (PAUTA) has informed that PAU teachers will collectively go on Mass Casual leave and observe Teachers’ Day as a Black Day on September 5. On this day, PAU teachers will hold a mega protest in front of Thapar Hall for the fulfilment of their just demands.
If a resolution is not reached, the PAUTA warned the university administration of further non-cooperation and intensifying the protests in the coming days.