PANJIM: A day after threats by Balrath employees for not fulfilling their demands, the Directorate of Education on Wednesday in principle approved the proposal hiking remuneration of drivers and attendants and the same would be directly deposited in their bank accounts.
As per the circular issued to the managements of high schools, higher secondary schools and special schools, the monthly remuneration of Balrath drivers has been increased from Rs 12,000 to Rs 17,000 and that of attendants from Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000. The circular has asked the schools using Balrath services to pay the revised salary from this month along with the arrears from June 2023 till date before the eve of Diwali.
Funds amounting to Rs 4.17 lakh per Balrath bus has already been transferred to all the concerned schools and the balance amount will be released soon, states the circular issued by Director of Education Shailesh Zingde.
On Tuesday, All Goa United Balrath Employees Union had threatened to restart their agitation to demand increased salary among other demands. On July 17 this year, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had assured the Legislative Assembly that the Directorate of Education will revise the salaries of all the Balrath employees and also increase grants-in-aid to schools. The other demands included regularisation in service and benefits under ESI and PF and health insurance and salary for 11 months instead of 10 months.
