Thaindian News

Kolkata, June 3 (IANS) After getting their salary on the first day of the month, there is now more good news for the teaching community in West Bengal. Soon, the teachers in government and government-aided schools will get their pension immediately after their retirement, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced Friday.

College teachers can also join in the revelry with Banerjee declaring that the government would ensure that employees of government-aided colleges get their salary on the first day of each month.

“The school teachers are now getting their salary on the first day of the month - instead of the 10th. We have also decided that they will get their pension immediately after their retirement. Nowadays they get their pension years after their retirement. In many cases it reaches their family members after the death of the beneficiaries,” said Banerjee at the state secretariat - Writers’ Buildings.

She said hitherto, the pension was calculated in the school and then forwarded to the concerned department.

“It was a lengthy, delayed and faulty system. The helpless teachers after their retirement had to run from pillar to post to get their pensions,” the chief minister said.

“After a meeting with the school education and higher education departments, we have decided that a provisional pension scheme will be introduced, so that the teachers get their pension on the first day of the month after their retirement,” said Banerjee.

“We have decided to bring all such categories of teachers under the school education department for the benefits of the teachers and so that they are able to enjoy more respect and dignity,” said the chief minister.

All the para-teachers and part-time teachers who are eligible for primary teacher posts will be absorbed in phases while unemployed youths with B.Ed degree will also be absorbed soon.

She said arrangements were being made to ensure that employees of government-aided colleges get their salary on the first day of the month.

“Ad-hoc pension will be released to the retired employees just after their retirement subject to finalisation of actual pension,” she said.

Government order had been issued for remuneration settlement for contractual whole time teachers, while part-time lecturers will be paid their salary on time.