Team Goemkarponn
FATORDA: Former Goa Congress President Amit Patkar and Fatorpa MLA Vijai Sardesai have joined hands in raising concerns over the issues facing teaching and non-teaching staff associated with Diocesan Society-run schools, warning the Goa government of strong protests if the matter is not resolved.
Patkar said nearly 400 teaching and non-teaching staff associated with around 138 schools remain affected and claimed that the government had been given a 10-day deadline to act. He warned that Congress may take to the streets if the concerns are not addressed.
Patkar said a contempt petition has also been filed in the matter and noted that the state government’s challenge before the Supreme Court did not receive a stay. He said the issue would continue to be raised both inside and outside the Assembly.
Recalling the issue being raised during the Monsoon Session on July 28, 2023, Patkar said Sardesai had then raised the matter of pre-primary teachers and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had assured the House that it would be resolved. Patkar said the issue remains pending despite the assurance.
Sardesai, meanwhile, said the concerns extend beyond the affected employees and involve the larger functioning of the Diocesan Society, which runs around 138 schools.
He alleged that the society and minority educational institutions were facing government pressure and demanded that the government clearly state its policy and intentions regarding the schools.
“The government should clearly state what they have in mind regarding the 138 schools run by Diocesan Society,” Sardesai said, warning that the issue would be taken up strongly in the Assembly.
Sardesai further warned that the Assembly could be “paralysed” over the issue if the government fails to find a solution. He said he would work with legislators from both the Opposition and ruling side who were willing to make a common cause on the matter.
Both leaders stressed the need for intervention to safeguard the interests of the affected staff and ensure clarity over the future of the Diocesan Society-run institutions.
Sardesai has given the government until the end of the week to resolve the matter, warning that the issue will otherwise be raised forcefully on the floor of the Assembly.
