Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur

Kundapur, Jun 23: "At present, the constitutional right to equal work and equal pay is limited only to books. The biggest hurdle of the New Pension Scheme (NPS) should be transferred to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS)," said MLC Boje Gowda.

Speaking in the city, Gowda said, "In the education department, discrimination is meted out not only in promotion and pension schemes but also in salary. Teachers and non-teaching staff who have been serving the department for the past 40 years are deprived of a pension. The Supreme Court has already proclaimed that pension is a constitutional right. According to the assurance given in the last election manifesto by Congress, which assumed power through an amazing victory in 135 seats, the OPS scheme should be implemented in the state."

"In this country, everyone including judges of the Supreme Court, High Court, and MLAs are eligible for a pension. Only in the education department is this discrimination ongoing. The Education Minister should discuss issues such as the filling of vacant teacher posts, issues faced by guest lecturers, salary discrimination, the shortage of teachers in aided schools, renewal of recognition, and issues faced by teachers in residential schools and take action accordingly," he added.

Hussain Hykady, working president of JD(S) of Kundapur constituency, leaders of the party, and eminent personalities of various teaching organizations were present.