Sun Apr 27 06:50:53 UTC 2025: **West Bengal Non-Teaching Staff Continue Strike Despite Government Offer**
KOLKATA, INDIA – Thousands of non-teaching staff in West Bengal’s state-run schools are continuing their strike despite the state government’s offer of a monthly honorarium. The employees, whose appointments were invalidated by a Supreme Court ruling earlier this month, began protesting on April 21st following the court’s decision to uphold the cancellation of nearly 26,000 teacher and non-teaching staff appointments due to irregularities.
While the government offered a monthly honorarium of Rs. 25,000 for Group C and Rs. 20,000 for Group D employees, the protesters remain adamant in their demand for a clear list differentiating between “tainted” and “untainted” individuals. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the honorarium after a meeting with staff representatives, stating it would be paid until a Supreme Court review petition is decided. However, staff representatives rejected the honorarium as insufficient, insisting the list is crucial for “untainted” employees to regain their positions.
Unlike teachers, who received a similar list and ended their strike after receiving assurance, non-teaching staff have continued their protest, maintaining their hunger strike. They argue that the honorarium only provides temporary financial relief and doesn’t address the core issue of job security. The situation remains tense as the non-teaching staff vow to continue their demonstration until their demands are met.
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