From Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI: The wait of higher education teachers for arrears is over.
The Union Cabinet on Monday approved the proposal to relax the condition of enhancement of age of superannuation of teachers to 65 in state institutions for the implementation of the revised pay scales on the basis of 6th Pay Commission recommendations and become eligible for receiving Central share of 80% of the arrear payment.
According to an official source, the Cabinet also decided that reimbursement of 80% of the Central share of the arrears be paid in 2-3 installments to those States who have already made the payment and submitted their proposals for reimbursements to the Central Government.
The decision of Cabinet is expected to provide relief to teachers in state institutions with the payment of arrears.
It will also benefit State Governments, who will be able to make the arrear payment in installments and also claim reimbursements simultaneously.
Our Reporter adds: This decision could provide huge relief to Meghalaya Government, which has been requesting the Centre to relax the condition of enhancement of age of superannuation of teachers to 65 years.
It may be mentioned that State Education Minister Prof RC Laloo had placed the demand for relaxation of norms to Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal who had promised to look into this contentious issue.
Earlier, Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association (MCTA) had held a series of agitation including cease work, demanding among others immediate release of their pending arrears.
The State Government finally conceded to their demand and agreed to pay 20 per cent of the arrears, which was the State’s share, while the remaining was to be borne by the Centre.
Following the revision of pay scales of Central Government employees on the recommendation of the 6th Pay Commission, the pay scales of teachers and other equivalent cadres was revised and age of Superannuation was enhanced to 65 years in December 2008.
The Central Government decided to provide financial assistance to the extent of 80 per cent as reimbursement to those state governments, which may opt for these revised pay scales for the period January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2010.
The scheme of revised pay scales was essentially for teachers in central educational institutions. However, provisions of the scheme could be made applicable by state governments, to universities and colleges coming under the purview of the state governments, provided the state governments adopt and implement the scheme as a composite scheme, including the enhanced age of superannuation.