Doomdooma: Tutors appointed in Assam in 2021 with an assurance of being upgraded to teachers within five years have sought Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s intervention, as the promised upgrade remains pending after the stipulated period.
A delegation led by Sadiya Tutor Association representatives Uma Deori and Umakanta Deori met Sonowal at his residence in Dibrugarh on August 27 and submitted a memorandum outlining the tutors’ grievances.
Representatives from Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts were also present.
According to the association, the tutors were appointed during Sonowal’s tenure as Assam Chief Minister, with then Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma distributing appointment letters in Sonowal’s presence.
The association said the government had assured that the tutors would be upgraded to teachers within five years.
It also said a one-time gratuity of Rs 10 lakh had been promised if a tutor retired or died after receiving the appointment letter, even after serving for a day.
However, the five-year period has elapsed without the promised upgrade or an effective decision on the tutors’ demands, the association alleged.
The delegation also raised the issue of remuneration for tutors in Middle English Schools. It informed Sonowal that they receive Rs 12,000 per month for their teaching duties.
Sonowal reportedly expressed surprise at the amount and assured the delegation that he would discuss the issue with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma soon.
The association said Sonowal’s intervention was significant as the appointments and assurances were made during his tenure and in his presence.
The tutors will await the outcome of Sonowal’s proposed discussion with the Chief Minister on their demands.