Bhubaneswar: The state government has withdrawn the provision of compulsory submission of affidavits to get the grant-in-aid facility.

This comes as a major relief to thousands of school and college teachers across the state. They had taken out a foot march from Pipili to Bhubaneswar and staging demonstrations against the government's policy.

A statement released by the chief minister's office on Wednesday, states that teachers are only required to submit details in writing about their court cases, so that the government can be aware of all the pending cases and decide the future course of action accordingly.

The higher education department has clarified that the teachers, covered under the newly framed Grant-in-Aid Policy, 2017, will not have to submit affidavits as sought earlier.

The protesting teachers had also threatened to boycott the upcoming matriculation and Plus Two exam duty. The state government had in October last year announced abolition of the block grant system, replacing it with the grant-in-aid for the teachers.

The teachers alleged that they had been asked to sign an affidavit to get financial benefits but it also came with a rider stating that once submitted, the affidavit would prevent them from staging any kind of protest.

But, the teachers have asked the government to come out with a notification.

"The affidavit for grant-in-aid was a violation of fundamental rights. Although it promises financial benefits, it is of great harm to us. We want an official statement from the government," said a teacher, Prakash Mohanty.

Higher education minister Ananta Das had earlier asked the agitating teachers to refrain from political activities after the protesters warned to campaign against the ruling party in Bijepur bypoll.

Das also slammed the agitators for criticising chief minister's personal secretary V.K. Pandian and additional chief secretary G.V.P. Sharma.