SHILLONG: The Khasi Jaintia Deficit School Teachers’ Association (KJDSTA) on Monday organised a public meeting to press the Meghalaya government to address several long-pending demands of deficit school teachers.
The association’s primary demand is the enhancement of Dearness Allowance (DA) for deficit teachers from the existing 43 per cent to 51 per cent, bringing it at par with government employees. The teachers also demanded the immediate release of arrears resulting from the proposed DA hike.
Addressing the gathering, KJDSTA president Boswell Pala said that despite repeated representations to the government, the DA for deficit teachers has remained unchanged.
He informed that the association had written to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma seeking an appointment but has not received any response so far.
Pala asserted that DA is a legitimate right of deficit teachers and accused the government of neglecting their concerns. He further stated that the continued denial of benefits to teachers amounts to injustice not only to educators but also to students.
Warning of intensified agitation, the KJDSTA president urged the government not to compel teachers to take to the streets by ignoring their demands. He alleged that while previous governments were supportive of teachers, the present government has failed to safeguard the rights of deficit teachers.
The association has given the state government an ultimatum till January 15, 2026, to meet their demands, failing which it will launch democratic protests and mass agitation.
