Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday assured the teacher unions of universities and colleges of Punjab and Chandigarh that he along with Higher Education and Languages Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer would soon call upon the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to discuss their demand of raising pay as per the recommendations made by University Grant Commission (UGC).
In a high level meeting held here at MGSIPA, both the minister gave a patient hearing to the demands raised by the representatives of various college and University teachers’ unions of Punjab and Chandigarh.Sharing the financial implications of the demand raised by the unions, the Finance Minister said that the state has been reeling under a fiscal burden because of the visionless policies of the previous governments but the Punjab Government led by CM Bhagant Mann is committed to ensuring the growth of Education and health sectors.
He said that the government is also aware of the fact that the UGC pay scales for university and colleges teachers have been implemented by most of the states.Reiterating the commitment made by the CM in the assembly, both the ministers said that they have called this meeting with their unions on their own to have an in-depth discussion on the issue as the Chief Minister has already expressed his will to do the best for them.
Prominent amongst others, Jaspreet Talwar, Principal Secretary Higher Education, Mohit Tiwari, Special Secretary Finance and Rajiv Gupta, DPI colleges were also present in the meeting.