Patna : The Bihar government is preparing to move ahead with a review of the seventh pay scale for teachers, with Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari saying the Education Department will begin the process of forming a committee within the next two days.
The committee will assess the financial and economic burden of implementing the seventh pay scale before the government takes further decisions. However, no specific date has been announced for implementation of the revised pay scale.
Committee To Assess Financial Impact
According to the Education Minister, the department will first examine the financial implications of the proposed pay scale. The committee will be tasked with assessing the additional burden on the state before the matter is taken forward.
The move comes as teachers have also raised concerns over salary discrepancies, promotions and transfer and posting arrangements.
Tiwari also appealed to teachers observing a hunger strike in Patna to end their protest, while assuring them that their concerns were being considered by the government.
Voluntary Transfer Process Under Review
The government is also working on the issue of voluntary transfers. The Education Department has sought guidance from the Election Commission on the matter and expects a response within the next two days.
Under the proposed arrangement, teachers who receive voluntary transfers but face difficulties joining their new schools may be allowed to continue at their existing schools. Joining the new school would not be mandatory in every such case under the voluntary transfer process.
General And Mutual Transfers
The department is also preparing for the general transfer process. Teachers, head teachers and headmasters will be able to apply for transfers under the general process.
Teachers are also expected to get another opportunity to apply for mutual transfers, allowing those seeking an exchange of postings to submit their applications again.
The government is simultaneously examining issues related to promotions and differences in teachers’ salaries, with these concerns included in the broader review of the teaching workforce.
For now, the seventh pay scale remains under examination, with the proposed committee expected to provide the government with an assessment of its financial implications before further action is taken.
