Begusarai: Teaching and non-teaching activities in various state universities and their constituent colleges remained paralyzed on Wednesday due to a two-day pen-down strike called by the Bihar State University and College Non-Teaching Employees Federation.
Strike Details and Demands
Ashok Kunwar, president of the Lalit Narayan Mithila University Non-Teaching College Employees Association, stated on Wednesday that more than 15,000 non-teaching employees from various state universities and constituent colleges across the state abstained from work to support their 15-point charter of demands.
The key demands include payment of salary and pension as per the directives of the statutory committee for pay fixation of non-teaching employees, in line with the Supreme Court order; salary payment based on the actual post held; enhancement of the retirement age to 65, on par with college and university teachers; payment of House Rent Allowance (HRA), conveyance, medical, and other allowances equivalent to those of state government employees; absorption of daily-wage and outsourced employees into regular service against existing vacancies; and implementation of the old pension scheme.
Kunwar added, "The pen-down strike is the second phase of our struggle to press for our demands. If the government fails to respond, the federation will be forced to intensify the agitation. The strike passed off peacefully in all constituent colleges across the state, including those under LNMU, Darbhanga. However, university examinations have been kept out of the strike in the larger interest of students."
Impact on University Operations
The strike disrupted normal functioning across campuses, with administrative offices, libraries, and other support services shut down. Classes, however, continued in some institutions where teaching staff were present. The federation has assured that examinations will not be affected to minimize inconvenience to students.
This industrial action highlights the ongoing grievances of non-teaching employees regarding pay parity and working conditions. The federation has warned of further escalation if their demands are not addressed promptly.
