TRS MP seeks wage hike for Gurukulam teachers, ASHA workers

New Delhi: TRS MP Prof Seetaram Naik has appealed to the Centre to increase the wages of Mini Gurukulam teachers and workers and Asha workers as they are being paid a pittance. Highlighting the plight of the employees, he told the media here on Tuesday that the apathy on the part of the Centre towards these sections was unfortunate.

The Mini Gurukulams had been established with noble intentions for the uplift of the tribals in the country but to continue to pay inadequate salaries was defeating the very purpose of the project. There were in all 41 Mini Gurukulams in the State, he said. The teachers and the workers should be paid Rs 11,500 and Rs 8,500 as had been demanded by their unions.

Likewise, the salaries of Asha workers must also be hiked he said, pointing out that in Telangana State alone, as many as 26,000 Asha workers were on the rolls. Referring to the agitation being waged by the Asha workers in the State with the support of the Congress, CPI (M) and the TDP, he criticised the political parties for fishing in troubled waters.

While the responsibility of paying the salaries was that of the Central government, questioning the State government was wrong, he said. He said he had appealed to the Tribal Welfare Ministry to hike the wages of teachers and workers of Mini Gurukulams, so that they could lead a dignified life. Deputation system in these schools must be abolished, he said, seeking elevation of the staff to the positions instead.

Prof Naik on Tuesday met the joint secretary of the Ministry of Tribal Welfare, as the Minister was out of town, and explained to him in detail the working conditions of the above groups. Referring to the farmers suicides in Telangana, the MP appealed to the farmers to maintain their cool as the government was trying to improve the farming conditions in the State.