Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 19: The indefinite protest dharna and hunger strike launched by Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalya (KGBV) teachers entered the 4th consecutive day at Press Club here today.
Over fifty female KGBV teachers are sitting on hunger strike outside the Press Club of Jammu. They are demanding their regularization as they have already completed five years of necessary service as per the rules framed for them. They pointed out that out of the total 693 teachers appointed for 99 schools in the State, only 90 were regularized on pick and choose basis while all others were left for the reason best known to the officers at the helm of affairs.
About seven teachers were appointed in every school in a Zone under Centrally sponsored scheme during 2005. The policy was framed during 2004 and they were engaged after inviting proper applications and holding interviews on merit basis. They gave many representations to the concerned CEOs and Directors School Education Kashmir and Jammu but their issue remained unresolved.
These female teachers braving cold and rain since last night are sitting on hunger strike. Two of them whose condition today deteriorated were later hospitalized. They said that their protest dharna and hunger strike would continue till their fate is decided. No senior officer from the Education Department, Divisional or District Administration visited the site of dharna, they alleged.
The protesting female teachers appealed to the State Governor, N N Vohra, to intervene personally and provide them long awaited justice.
Meanwhile, senior trade union leaders Abdul Qayoom Wani from EJAC, Suresh Sharma from SGEJAC and others joined the protesting KGBV teachers and assured them full support.
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