Bhubaneswar,23rd Oct 2025: They teach in colleges, yet they earn less than teachers in model schools. Trained graduate teachers (PGTs) who teach high school students are paid at par with college lecturers. Although many of the lecturers appointed through the State Selection Board (SSB) under the OPSC pattern hold PhDs, M.Phils, and have qualified in NET and JRF exams, they do not receive salaries reflecting their qualifications.
In response, the Odisha SSB Samaan Sangha ‘OSLA’ organized a protest on Gandhi Marg in front of the State Assembly on Sunday, demanding equal pay for equal work for all SSB-appointed lecturers across the state.
The association demanded that lecturers be given a grade pay of ₹6,000, with the benefits being applied retrospectively from 2016.
Before the last election, the BJP had promised equal pay for equal work, and the Sangha is now urging the government to fulfill its own promise by implementing equal pay for equal responsibilities.
Despite being recruited through transparent government procedures, many lecturers are still not granted the status of government lecturers, which has caused deep resentment. The association raised the question: “When they perform the same duties and responsibilities as lecturers in government colleges, why are they not being recognized as such?”
The association is also demanding:
- Grade pay of Rs6,000
- Official government recognition
- HRA, retirement benefits, gratuity increment
- Amendment to Section 7(C) of the Odisha Education Act, 1974
- Separate leave provisions for women lecturers
- Timely promotions
- Recognition as Assistant Professors
Participating in the protest were the association’s Vice-President Manas Ranjan Sahu, General Secretary Gaurav Sharma, Joint Secretary Tulasi Raut, Treasurer Gayadhar Mallik, Tathagata Raut, and many other lecturers and female lecturers.
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