Jaipur: Grade-III teachers from across Rajasthan who had been protesting at Shaheed Smarak called off their protest Thursday evening after talks with education minister Madan Dilawar. The minister assured teachers that the state govt is working to roll out the transfer policy.After meeting the minister, convener of the Grade-III Teachers’ Struggle Committee, Sunil Mahla, said, “If assurances given by the govt and the education minister are not fulfilled by Jan 1, we will launch a decisive battle against the govt starting that very day. We will wait till Dec 15 and see the govt’s attitude towards the assurances given today. If we see that the talks are not bearing any result, we will start our protest again.”On Thursday evening, a statement was issued from the education minister’s office that said, “The education minister assured the delegation that transfers for Grade-III teachers would be carried out through the implementation of a transfer policy. Once the policy is in effect, all transfers will be governed by it. The policy will allow teachers to select their preferred district and block, ensuring there is no discrimination.”The statement added that priority in transfers will be given to differently-abled teachers, widows, single women and those suffering from serious illnesses.“Additionally, following a Supreme Court order, the govt will also undertake the promotion of Grade-III teachers next month (September). The govt has already initiated preparations for this…” adds the statement.The delegation from the Grade-III Teacher Struggle Committee that met the minister included Mahesh Kumar Saini, Mahipal Doot, Suraj Bhan Singh, Nirmala Meena and Sarita Chaudhary. Protesting teachers called for immediate commencement of transfers, transparency in the deputation policy and the resolution of long-pending demands. Transfer of Grade-III teachers has been on hold for the past eight years in the state.
