Date:05/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/05/stories/2009010555580600.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

“PRTU compromising teachers’ self-respect”

HYDERABAD: The differences between two groups of teachers’ unions are heading for a public showdown with one group alleging the other with hijacking the united struggle of teachers and manipulating them to support the Congress party.

While one group led by PRTU is going ahead with arrangements for felicitation of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy here on December 5, where it was expected that he would announce notional increments for apprentice service, another group led by UTF alleged that PRTU was collecting donations from teachers for the felicitation function in return for the favour.

The UTF leaders had even submitted a representation to the Chief Minister that he should initiate action against PRTU leaders for using his name for collecting donations.

At a press conference on Saturday, the UTF led group took strong exception to attempts of PRTU to hijack the united struggle of teachers and usurp credit for achieving teachers’ demands. They recalled that the Government conceded the demand of teachers including interim relief, promotions and transfers thanks to the united fight by all teachers’ organisations. Abolition of apprentice service was another important demand which the Government promised to consider sympathetically in the next financial year.

The UTF leaders N.Narayana and Venkateswara Rao urged teachers to see through the game plan of PRTU to mortgage their self-respect and oppose such attempts.