Census duty: We're ready to go to jail, say teachers

Teachers across the city are upset

Teachers across the city are upset

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) threat to imprison teachers who refuse to carry out census work has raised the hackles of the Coordination Committee of Teachers' Organisations, Bombay (Brihanmumbai).

The committee has now decided to oppose the civic corporation's threat by launching a 'jail bharo' campaign within a fortnight.

	Census act 1948
	According to Section 6(2) of Census Act, 1948, all officers chosen for census duty have to perform the same, and any person refusing or neglecting to perform any duty, which under this section he is directed to perform, shall be deemed to have committed an offence under the Indian Penal Code.

The committee held a meeting on Friday with representatives of seven other constituent teachers' organisations. It was at this meeting that a decision to oppose census work was taken.

In a letter, which was distributed to teachers, co-convenor of the committee, Dr K Theckedath, said, "It is preposterous for the BMC to enforce the census work. If teachers refuse, they will be imprisoned for three years."

Not paid

Another reason teachers claim they are not willing to do the census work is that remuneration promised to them is never paid.

"Teachers are compelled to carry out census work and other government work but, have forgotten to pay us our dues since 2004-05", said the principal of a private school who did not wish to be named.

The Other Side

When MiD DAY contacted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation about the 'threat', officials refuted the allegation. "Private school teachers are bound to do the work that BMC or government asks because they are given a 50 per cent grant," said Abasaheb Jadhav, Education Officer of BMC. "If they refuse, they will be punished appropriately." Asked about the impending strike that the teachers plan, Jadhav said, "I have not received any letter from the committee."