180 ETT Teachers Protest Outside Punjab Finance Minister's Residence

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema's residence in Chandigarh was the site of a protest by 180 Elementary Teacher Training (ETT) teachers on Saturday. The teachers, accompanied by their family members, were protesting alleged large-scale irregularities and high-handedness of department clerks during the recruitment process.

The demonstration was organised to demand the suspension of the Education Department clerk, who the protesters alleged had orchestrated a scam to accommodate his own people. The protesters claimed that despite promises to arrange a meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, no action had been taken to date.

The protesters alleged that they were originally recruited in 2016 but were subsequently dismissed on the grounds of alleged flaws in the recruitment process. They were reinstated following a court order, but claimed that the Aam Aadmi Party government had worked in collusion with a departmental clerk to shield the clerk.

The protesters cited an IAS report, which they claimed showed that the issue arose due to the clerk's error. They expressed disappointment and frustration with the government's handling of the matter, accusing them of making excuses and failing to take action.

The protest was peaceful, but the police eventually detained the protesters and took them to Sector 3 police station. The protesters vowed to continue their fight for justice, which they claimed had been ongoing for 10 years.

The ETT teachers' protest highlights the ongoing issues with the recruitment process in Punjab's Education Department. The protesters' allegations of irregularities and high-handedness by department clerks have raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the process.

The Punjab government has faced criticism for its handling of the matter, with the protesters accusing them of failing to take action and making excuses. The government's response to the protest will be closely watched, as the issue continues to simmer.

The protest also highlights the struggles faced by teachers in Punjab, who have been fighting for their rights and demanding regularisation. The ETT teachers' protest is just one example of the ongoing struggles faced by teachers in the state, who are seeking better working conditions and greater job security.

In conclusion, the ETT teachers' protest outside the Punjab Finance Minister's residence has brought attention to the ongoing issues with the recruitment process in the state's Education Department. The protesters' allegations of irregularities and high-handedness by department clerks have raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the process, and the government's response will be closely watched.