By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Agitating college and school teachers under the banner of Joint Action Committee of All Teachers’ Associations of Meghalaya (JACATAM) have rejected the State Government’s offer for talks citing absence of a ‘black and white’ invitation.
In an official release on Wednesday, Government had invited the teachers to meet the Commissioner and Secretary of Education department, the Director, Higher and Technical Education along with the Director of School Education and Literacy to discuss their demands.
However, chairman of the JACATAM, ED Nongsiang, on Thursday claimed that the Association has not received any official letter in this connection.
Determined to carry on their agitation, Nongsiang on Thursday said the Association would “not be fooled by false alarms aimed at downplaying the situation.”
Firm on their stand to call off the agitation only after receiving an assurance from the Deputy Chief Minister in charge Education, Prof RC Laloo, Nongsiang reiterated that they would not sit for talks with any officer “as the matter is meant to be dealt with by policy-makers”.
“This is a matter which should be discussed and examined by the Minister concerned and the same should be passed in the Cabinet,” Nongsiang said.
It may be mentioned that the Association is scheduled to go on a mass casual leave (CL) on September 3, dharna in various districts and zones on September 4 and a mass rally in Shillong on September 5.
The Association will meet again on August 30 to discuss its future course of action.
