Punjab Teachers Face Salary Delays Amid Government Budget Shortfall
In Ferozepur, Democratic Teachers Front president Vikram Dev Singh has strongly criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, highlighting that thousands of teachers across the state are waiting for their salaries due to a significant budget shortfall. Singh emphasized that while the government promotes large-scale education reforms through advertisements, district authorities are failing to release the necessary budget to Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) for salary payments.
Administrative Hurdles and Financial Stress
According to Singh, teachers in Punjab are not receiving their salaries on time because the required budget has not been allocated by the head office. District authorities consistently provide the same explanation, stating that "the budget was not received from the headquarters." This delay has led to serious difficulties for teachers, who struggle to meet domestic needs and face penalties for late loan instalments, resulting in financial and mental stress.
The DTF leaders have accused the government of prioritizing propaganda over teacher welfare. They demand immediate release of all pending budgets and timely salary payments. Additionally, they call for a firm and planned budget to prevent such situations in the future, ensuring stability for educators.
This issue underscores broader challenges in Punjab's education sector, where administrative inefficiencies and budget mismanagement are impacting the livelihoods of thousands of teachers.
