From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jan 6: After holding discussions with representatives of guest lecturers, who have been on strike demanding better pay scales, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has agreed to a hike ranging from Rs 5000 to Rs 8,000 a month to the guest lecturers and also extend other facilities.

The Chief Minister, who held a meeting with representatives with striking guest lecturers in Bengaluru on Saturday, made it clear that the Congress government was sympathetic to their demands.

He, however, explained that the government was unable to concede the demand to ensure protection in service due to legal difficulties.

Siddaramaiah pointed out that he had supported the demand of guest lecturers even when he was in the opposition.

Guest lecturers with less than 5 years’ experience will get a hike of Rs 5,000 a month while those having 5 to 10 years’ service will get Rs 6,000 and those with 10 to 15 years of service will get Rs 7000 and those with more than 15 years of service will get Rs 8000 increase, the Chief Minister said appealing to the striking guest lecturers to resume work.

Siddaramaiah said the State Government was ready to offer health insurance scheme of Rs 5 lakh, and those retiring after 60 years will get security deposit of Rs 5 lakh. The guest lecturers with more than 15 hours of teaching duty will get 1 day extra paid leave and also extend the benefit of maternity leave of 3 months.

In addition, the government will grant weightage to guest lecturers on the basis of their service.

Higher Education Minister Dr M C Sudhakar, Higher Education Department Secretary M S Shrikar, Higher Education and Technical Education Commissioner G Jagadish, Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary L K Atheeq, Chief Minister’s Political Secretary K Govindaraju and others were present.