Srinagar: The protesting Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT’s) teachers on Wednesday observed the “Teachers Day” as Black day.

The teachers who are on an indefinite hunger strike in Srinagar, are demanding the implementation of seventh pay commission and delinking of their salaries from Centrally sponsored scheme. September 5 is celebrated as Teachers Day across mainland Indian states, and Jammu and Kashmir.

The ReT’s under the banner of Teachers Joint Action Committee (TJAC), led by TJAC president Abdul Qayoom Wani and all district presidents carrying banners assembled at Pratap Park in Srinagar and raised slogans demanding implementation of 7th pay Commission.

Pertinently, on Monday the teachers went on an indefinite hunger strike in the Valley to press upon the government for the fulfilment of their demands, including timely release of salaries.

The teachers assembled at the Pratap Park in the city’s commercial hub Lal Chowk under the banner of the Teachers’ Joint Action Committee and began an indefinite hunger strike against the government.

The teachers are demanding the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission and delinking of their salary from the Centrally sponsored scheme.

In April, the previous government released the salaries of all state employees as per the 7th Pay Commission benefits. However, the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan employees were not given the benefits.

“We were given the benefits of the 6th Pay Commission. Why are we not being treated at par with other state government employees? What is our fault, we won’t give up the protest till our demands are met,” said one of the protesting teachers.

The protesters said around 65,000 Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers had been recruited by the government since 2000, of which 41,000 were employed under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan scheme. They said the teachers’ salaries had not been delinked from the Central government funds till now and were not being released on time.

“While these 41,000 ReT teachers were regularised on the basis of state ReT scheme their salary was not delinked from the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan scheme, which has resulted in delay in payment,” they added.

The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan teachers continue to take to streets for the last six months. The government has constituted a five-member committee to look into the demands. The committee is scheduled to submit its report in November.

Meanwhile, the administration has asked the teachers to call off the protests, saying that they would find a permanent solution to their demands after the committee’s report.