Over 600 DIET Employees in Maharashtra Forced to File Requests for Salary Amid Prolonged Financial Difficulties

Mumbai, 8th October 2024: While the Maharashtra State Government is introducing schemes like the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahini Yojana, government employees are not receiving their rightful salaries on time. Around 600 employees of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) now find themselves in a situation where they must submit requests and applications to receive their salaries.

Reports indicate that due to the current financial difficulties in Maharashtra, this issue will likely persist until December. DIET is responsible for creating resources for teachers and trainers, providing educational support, and developing assessment tools across Maharashtra. The institute operates under the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), which is part of the state’s Education Department.

However, despite its crucial role, officers and employees of the organization are not being paid regularly or on time. As a result, requests have been made to School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, the Education Commissioner, the Secretary, and the Director, with concerns raised from various regions of Maharashtra, including Latur and Nagpur.

DIET General Secretary Subhash Buwa stated that the officers and employees of DIET were being paid from both central and state funds. However, since the layoffs imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, their salaries have become irregular, a situation that has persisted for almost two and a half years. As a result, they had to protest in Mumbai to demand their pay.

Buwa also mentioned that in January, a decision was made to have the entire salary of DIET officers and employees paid by the state government. Following this decision, salaries were disbursed regularly from February to June. However, since July, salary issues have resurfaced. Around 300 Class I and Class II officers, as well as 300 Class III and Class IV employees across the state, have been affected. Since July, only 50% of officers and employees have received their pay, and correspondence regarding the issue has not yielded a satisfactory response. Furthermore, there are indications that this situation will continue until December, leading to significant financial difficulties.

Despite these challenges, work has not been interrupted during the layoffs or even now, when wages are not being fully paid, Buwa claimed.

Education Commissioner Suraj Mandhare said that arrangements had been made for the regular salary of DIET officers and employees. The issue will now be reviewed, and regular payments will be ensured.