Several teachers’ unions in Maharashtra have announced plans for statewide protests from April 16, citing long-pending demands, irregular salary payments, and administrative inefficiencies in the state’s education department.
Teachers’ representatives have alleged that flawed criteria used to identify “surplus teachers” are leading to salary stoppages. They have demanded an immediate review of the process and strict action against responsible officials.
Union leaders also highlighted that various dues of teachers have remained pending for two to six years. They claimed that despite sufficient funds being available, delays in processing payments have resulted in alleged financial irregularities worth crores of rupees. The unions have demanded that all pending payments be cleared starting April 15.
Teachers have also opposed being assigned non-academic duties such as serving as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for election work, stating that such assignments violate court directives and should be stopped immediately.
The “Shikshak Bharati” organisation has announced a protest at the office of the Deputy Director of Education on April 17, while warning that further agitation will intensify if issues remain unresolved.
Union leaders have also pointed to technical glitches in the state’s “Shalarth” salary system, which they say are causing delays in salary disbursement for both teaching and non-teaching staff, despite completion of required documentation.
In Mumbai, concerns have also been raised over the delayed salaries of teachers declared surplus. Representatives of the Maharashtra State Teachers Council have met Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, urging immediate intervention.
The Maharashtra Progressive Teachers’ Association has warned that if salaries are not released within a week, a more intense statewide protest will be launched, emphasising that timely salary payment is a fundamental right of employees.
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