Agartala, Sept. 1: Teachers of Tripura Medical College today launched a weeklong ceasework alleging they were getting a lower payscale than their counterparts in the government-run Agartala Government Medical College.

Classes in the medical college, run by a government sponsored society, were affected as a majority of the 81 teachers of the institution, launched the agitation till September 7, demanding parity in pay structure and facilities.

Sources in the college said while the non-teaching staff got a pay hike of 60-80 per cent, the teachers received a paltry hike of 5-8 per cent.

Besides, a majority of the teachers appointed on contract is the most aggrieved section because their job security is next to nothing, they added.

Dr A.K. Laisam, one of the striking teachers, said they had brought their demands and grievances over pay and allowances to the notice of the society running the college and staged an hourlong ceasework in April.

“In the second phase, we ceased work for a day in July but the authority did not feel it necessary to invite us for talks or make a commitment that our demands would be met. So we are now on a weeklong strike,” said Laisam.

He said prior to the day’s strike, the society had initially threatened to enforce the Essential Services Maintenance Act to prevent the strike, but finally backed out under government pressure.

The state health department has, however, decided to keep academic work going in the midst of the weeklong strike by making doctors serving in the hospitals of the department take classes.