Punjab Finance Minister Orders Urgent Meeting to Address ETT Teachers' Concerns
In a significant development aimed at resolving long-standing issues, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has directed the state's finance and education departments to convene an urgent joint meeting. This directive specifically targets the concerns raised by the 180 Elementary Teacher Training (ETT) Adhyapak Association, with Cheema reiterating the government's firm commitment to addressing the legitimate demands of its employees without any unnecessary delays.
Consultative Meeting at Punjab Civil Secretariat
The directive followed a detailed consultative meeting held at the Punjab Civil Secretariat on Friday, where representatives of the ETT Adhyapak Association presented their case comprehensively. During this session, Cheema emphasized the importance of a serious and time-bound consideration of the association's concerns, ensuring that every aspect of their demands is thoroughly examined.
Cheema stated, "The concerns raised by the 180 ETT Adhyapak Association deserve serious and time-bound consideration. I directed the finance and education departments to hold an urgent joint meeting so that all legitimate demands are settled without any further delay."
Examination of Administrative and Professional Hurdles
During the meeting, teachers were given a platform to outline the specific administrative and professional hurdles they are currently facing. Cheema highlighted that the government is committed to a careful examination of these issues, including their legal and financial implications, to ensure that any final decision is both legally sound and fiscally viable for the state.
He further explained, "We ensured that every aspect of their demands is examined carefully, including the legal and financial implications, so that the final decision is both legally sound and fiscally viable."
Inter-Departmental Coordination to Expedite Resolution
To expedite the resolution process, Cheema instructed the education department to immediately share all relevant details of the case with the finance department. This step is seen as a critical final measure to facilitate inter-departmental coordination, aiming to reach an amicable and lawful decision without administrative bottlenecks.
Cheema added, "This inter-departmental coordination is the critical final step required to reach an amicable and lawful decision. There must be no administrative bottlenecks in resolving the issues of our teachers."
The move underscores the Punjab government's proactive approach in addressing employee grievances, particularly in the education sector, and signals a strong intent to foster a supportive environment for teachers across the state.
