Jashipur, Sept 24: Teachers and employees of two PVTG educational complexes in Mayurbhanj have warned of an indefinite protest over their long-pending demand for regularisation and salary benefits.
The Odisha Government had established 19 educational complexes across 12 districts in 2008 to provide higher education opportunities to students belonging to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Two such institutions were established in Mayurbhanj-one at Angarpada under Jashipur block and another at Chikitamatia under Morada block.
Since 2008, a special officer was reportedly responsible for the students, teachers and employees of these PVTG schools. However, in 2019, the institutions were brought under the ST & SC Development Department of the state government.
The teachers and employees alleged that while staff of similar schools across the state have been regularised and receive regular salaries as per government norms, employees of the two PVTG schools in Mayurbhanj have been excluded from these benefits.
They said they have approached the District Welfare Officer, Mayurbhanj Collector and Commissioner of the ST & SC Development Department several times, but their grievances remain unresolved.
During a press conference, the teachers and employees warned that if their demands are not addressed within the next 10 days, they will launch an indefinite sit-in protest in front of the Mayurbhanj Collector's office along with their families.
Meanwhile, the Mayurbhanj District Welfare Officer said the matter has been discussed with the department's Joint Secretary and assured that steps would be taken to resolve the issue soon.
