Government is using pressure tactic: Putanna

BANGALORE: The Teacher’s Constituency MLC B Puttanna accused the state government of indulging in pressure tactics by threatening the agitating PU lecturers and warning them of severe action.This, he claimed, was a farce as the fault lies with the government.Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Puttanna put the blame on Primary and Secondary Education minister Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri, Principal Secretary G Kumar Naik and Commissioner for PU Education Rashmi V.“I want to state clearly that we will not succumb to such tactics.The very same people who are now issuing threats were involved in forming a committee that recommended changes in the wage scales.Why isn’t the government implementing it? The figure of `29,600 is only for Bangalore and not for the entire state,” he said.Blaming the government for having an escapist approach, he alleged that the government had been making false promises.“When the lecturers boycotted classes in December last year, Kageri promised an early solution.What happened?” he questioned.He added that the loss of time in evaluation would be compensated provided the government came forward with an amicable solution.“We understand the students’ future is at stake.We will finish evaluations by working two or three hours extra.Let the government solve our problem first,” he said.Today, Puttanna will be joined by MLC Maritibbe Gowda and former minister and MLC Basavaraj Horatti in the massive dharna at Freedom Park at 11am.ABVP Flays BoycottThe Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat (ABVP) staged a protest on Sunday at Mysore Bank circle protesting the boycott of II PUC evaluations undertaken by the PU lecturers.Speaking on the occasion, ABVP State Joint Secretary Sunil Kumar urged the lecturers to call off the boycott.“ABVP condemns the boycott as it jeopardises the future of nearly six lakh students,” he said.