Badal distributes PPOs to Government aided schools retired teachers

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, SEPT 20

            Conceding the long pending demand of the teachers of privately managed government aided schools to resume pension with effect from May 1, 2003, Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal today distributed Pension payment orders (PPOs) to 50 such retired teachers including former Transport Minister Master Mohan Lal.    

            Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Mr Badal and Education Minister Mr Sikander Singh Malooka jointly gave away PPOs to these beneficiaries out of nearly 3000 retired personnel on token basis in the presence of former Minister and MLA Jathedar Tota singh, who along with Master Mohan Lal played a vanguard role in the resumption of pensionary benefits to these teachers. Master Mohan Lal was the first recipient of the PPO from the Chief Minister as a retired teacher of Arya Senior Secondary School, Pathankot.

            It may be recalled that the teachers of the privately managed government aided schools were getting pensions regularly till May 31, 2003 which was subsequently ceased causing widespread resentment amongst the cadre of these teachers. The landmark decision taken by SAD-BJP government under the leadership of Mr Badal to resume all the pensionary benefits to these teachers spread a wave of great satisfaction and jubilation amongst these teachers.

            Addressing the teachers of privately managed government aided schools on the occasion, the Chief Minister appreciated exemplary patience shown by them spanning over nine years besides giving vital inputs in resolving this long pending issue amicably, which led to restoration of their pensionary dues. He underscored the concept of welfare state to quickly respond to the hardships faced by the people from all sections of the society adding that SAD-BJP government was committed for the overall development and betterment of the society in general and its employees in particular as they were the backbone of the state administration. Mr Badal urged the teachers to discharge their duties with utmost dedication, sincerity and commitment to raise the standard of education besides playing a proactive role in the nation building.

            Earlier in his welcome address Education Minister Mr Sikander Singh Malooka apprised the Chief Minister that the payment of pension and arrears to these teachers would entail total expenditure of Rs 425 crore over a period of five years, of which Rs 85 crore would be spent on this count during current fiscal year.

Meanwhile the privately managed government aided schools association led by its President Mr Gurcharan Singh Chahal along with General Secretary Mr NN Saini, Mr Ashwani Sharma, Mr Daljeet Singh, Mr Manohar Lal Chopra and Dr Gurmeet Singh expressed gratitude to Chief Minister for restoration of pensionary benefits to retired teachers as per his commitment in a meeting held with them on November 1, 2010.   

Prominent amongst other who were present on the occasion included Secretary Education Mr Hussan Lal, Director General School Education Mr Kahan Singh Pannu, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, DPI Schools Mr Kamal Kumar, Deputy Director Private Aided Schools Mr Jatinder Pal Singh and Chairman Mulaazam Bhalai Board Mr Surinder Singh Pehalwan.