Over 3,000 non-government college lecturers and staff members appointed by management committees between 2008 and 2018 launched a historic padayatra (foot march) from Srikhetra (Puri) to Ekamra Kshetra (Bhubaneswar), demanding immediate inclusion under the government grant-in-aid system.
The foot march commenced on Tuesday, September 22, from Saradhabali in Puri after offering floral tributes and seeking the agyamala (sacred garland of permission) from Lord Jagannath. The protesters marched nearly 60 kilometres to reach the Chief Minister’s residence in the capital city to press their long-pending demands.
Speaking on the protest, Association State President Biswaranjan Das highlighted that non-government teachers and staff have been campaigning for the implementation of the 2008–2018 grant-in-aid policy for a long time. Despite multiple rounds of discussions with state officials, the issue remains unresolved.
The association stated that after repeated administrative delays, they turned to Lord Jagannath for blessings and took to the streets in protest.
Das warned that if the Chief Minister continues to adopt stall tactics, the association will take an extreme decision to launch an indefinite fast-unto-death (amaran anashan). The association urged the Chief Minister to intervene directly and issue the formal grant-in-aid decision for staff appointed between 2008 and 2018, warning that the state government will be held solely responsible for any public unrest or untoward situation resulting from mass agitation.
