State-run schools and government offices in Maharashtra face a potential shutdown from April 21, with 1.7 million employees and teachers deciding to go on an indefinite strike.
The decision, announced on March 7 by the Coordination Committee of Government, Semi-Government, Teaching, and Non-Teaching Employees, follows months of unresolved grievances ranging from pension rules to chronic staff shortages.
“We have held seven meetings so far. We have been trying to draw the government’s attention towards the issue. But it hasn’t acted on the promises it had earlier given to us,” Vishwas Katkar, Coordination Committee of State Government Employees’ Central Union, said.
“The protestors will include 5.5 lakh Class III, Class IV State government employees (like employees of state secretariat, sales tax department, etc), 7 lakh teachers and non-teaching staff of zilla parishad and nagar parishad schools, 3.5 lakh Zilla Parishad Class III and Class IV employees (they enjoy semi-governmentt status), and Nagar Parishad employees,” he added.
Employee unions have formally informed the State government of their decision to proceed with the agitation. Convenor Mr. Katkar stated that despite previous assurances following meetings with the previous administration, several core demands remain unaddressed.
