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Water Cannons Stop Punjab Teachers’ March at Chandigarh Border as Talks Are Scheduled

Union leaders report government acceptance of their memorandum with meetings next week on pay scales and service rules.

Overview

  • Police blocked Special Cadre Teachers marching toward the chief minister’s residence at the Chandigarh–Mohali border, erecting barricades and deploying heavy security.
  • Officers used water cannons to disperse the crowd, with reports of a cane-charge; union leaders said three teachers were injured during the action.
  • Teachers say 12,710 ad-hoc educators received regular appointment letters in 2023 but have not been granted notified pay scales, service rules or related financial benefits.
  • Their demands include implementation of pay scales and service rules, restoration of the old pension scheme, medical reimbursement, group insurance, ex-gratia gratuity, mobile allowance, child care leave, and raising the retirement age to 65.
  • According to union leaders, authorities accepted a memorandum and set meetings with the education minister on March 6 and a finance minister–led subcommittee on March 10.