Shillong, October 14: The Khasi Jaiñtia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) has warned of intensified agitation over its pending demands for Dearness Allowance (DA), the Centralised Provident Fund (CPF) and the withdrawal of Scheme 2026, accusing the State Government of misleading deficit school teachers.
Speaking to reporters, KJDSTA president Boswell L. Pala said the government’s response, received on October 8, failed to address the association’s key demands. He alleged that the letter focused on issues that were not part of the teachers’ ultimatum while leaving their principal concerns unresolved.
Pala said KJDSTA and the Garo Hills Deficit School Teachers and Employees’ Association (GHDSTEA) had resorted to mass casual leave as the government had failed to resolve their demands.
Clarifying the DA arrears announced by the government, Pala said the payment covered the increase from 39 per cent to 43 per cent, with individual teachers receiving approximately ₹2,000 to ₹6,000 for dues dating back to early 2024.
However, he maintained that the demand for DA at 51 per cent and 53 per cent, along with the corresponding arrears, remained unresolved. He said the 51 per cent rate had become due last year, while the 53 per cent rate had been due since January this year.
He alleged that publicising the release of arrears linked to the 43 per cent rate could create the impression that the government had fulfilled the teachers’ demands. He also questioned why the government circulated to the media on October 13 the same letter sent to the associations on October 8, despite the associations having already responded.
On Scheme 2026, Pala raised objections to both the process through which the scheme was adopted and the composition of its Board of Trustees.
He alleged that representatives of deficit school teachers and employees were unable to attend the Board of Trustees’ meeting on March 16, 2026, because they received the notice only after the meeting had concluded. The scheme was notified on March 18, he said.
Pala said the CPF consisted of accumulated provident fund contributions from deficit teachers and alleged that their money had been transferred to the centralised fund in 2024. He cited the relevant 1969 legislation, government notifications and court orders in support of the association’s demands.
He further alleged that the Board of Trustees constituted on April 27, 2026, excluded representatives of teachers who had contributed to the fund. Questioning the arrangement, he said those who had not contributed to the fund should not be entrusted with decisions concerning the teachers’ money.
Referring to a meeting at the Secretariat on May 6, Pala said the association had objected to the participation of individuals outside the deficit category. He also alleged that other associations representing deficit teachers and employees had not been invited.
According to Pala, the official chairing the meeting indicated that another meeting would be convened, following which the association’s representatives left. He alleged that a subsequent notification permitting withdrawal from the CPF was intended to facilitate the implementation of Scheme 2026.
Pala also disputed claims that a court order dated September 10, 2026, directed the implementation of Scheme 2026, maintaining that the order contained no such instruction. He said earlier court orders referred to the implementation of the Centralised Provident Fund Scheme and reiterated the association’s demand for the government to follow the applicable legal provisions and court directions.
Although the association has not yet announced the precise form of its next phase of agitation, Pala warned that protests would intensify if the government continued to ignore its demands.
He acknowledged that further agitation could disrupt classroom teaching, sports, academic activities and other school programmes, but said the government would have to bear responsibility for the consequences.
Responding to concerns over the impact on students, Pala said children could also learn the importance of standing against injustice and responding to misleading statements with facts.
He stressed that teachers did not take pleasure in protesting and had been compelled to take the step because of the difficulties they faced. He also invited members of the public who questioned the basis of the agitation to engage with the association, saying it was willing to explain its position.
On coordination with college teachers, Pala said discussions and cooperation were continuing. However, he clarified that any decision to approach the Supreme Court would rest with the groups concerned in the litigation.
