PUC Lecturers to boycott classes Thursday

BANGALORE: Pre-University college lecturers across the State have called for boycotting of classes on December 8, which will be followed by an indefinite strike demanding the removal of disparities in salaries among the teachers.Addressing a press conference, President of Karnataka State PU College Lecturers Association and Coordination Committee Thimmaiah Purle said that the strike is due to the State Government’s inaction to correct the problem, despite a report filed by the Primary and Secondary Education Department on July 11, highlighting the disparity.Purle said that the association has decided to take this step as the government has refused to act for nearly a year. “The difference in the wages drawn by the PU teachers and lecturers at degree colleges is huge. When the report was submitted to former CM BS Yeddyurappa, he promised that he would take action within a time frame of a month. But nothing has been done,” he said.According to him, the lecturers would sign their registers on December 8, but would not boycott all classes and if nothing is done even on the following day, then along with principals, the lecturers will gather at Freedom Park. He added that the boycott would continue until some respite is provided to them by the government.