SALARY CRISIS: Samagra Shiksha Teachers Launch Statewide Protests; Deputation Submitted to District Education Officers Across 8 Districts
Agartala | February 6, 2026 Reported by: Tripura 24 News Desk
Frustrated by chronic delays in salary disbursements, teachers working under the Samagra Shiksha (SS) scheme took to the streets across Tripura today. In a synchronized statewide movement, teacher unions submitted formal deputations to the District Education Officers (DEOs) in all eight districts of the state, demanding an immediate end to the “salary harassment” they face every month.
The Hub of the Protest: West Tripura District
As a key part of the statewide agitation, a large contingent of Samagra Shiksha teachers gathered at the office of the District Education Officer, West Tripura, located in the Kunjaban area of Agartala. The teachers met with the DEO to voice their grievances regarding the systemic failure that leads to their salaries being delayed by weeks, and sometimes months.
Key Demands & Systematic Failures
During the meeting in Kunjaban, the teachers’ representatives highlighted how the irregular pay cycle is crippling their financial stability:
- End to Monthly Uncertainty: Teachers alleged that while other government employees receive their pay on time, SS teachers are forced to wait indefinitely, making it impossible to pay house rents, bank EMIs, or school fees for their children.
- Streamlining Fund Flow: The deputation emphasized that the “procedural delays” between the central and state components of the Samagra Shiksha fund must be resolved permanently.
- Demand for Timely Credit: The teachers demanded a fixed date (by the 5th of every month) for salary credit, similar to the regular state government staff.
“We perform the same duties as any other teacher, yet we have to beg for our hard-earned money every month,” said a protesting teacher from Kunjaban. “This isn’t just a delay; it’s a lack of respect for the teaching profession. If the DEO doesn’t escalate this to the Department of School Education, we will be forced to intensify our strike.”
A Statewide Resonance
Similar scenes were reported from Dhalai, North Tripura, and South Tripura districts. Sources indicate that the delay often stems from the late release of the central share of funds or administrative bottlenecks at the State Project Office (SPO). However, the teachers maintain that the state government should provide a “buffer fund” to ensure salaries are paid on time regardless of central fund arrival.
Current Status
The DEO of West Tripura has reportedly assured the teachers that their memorandum will be forwarded to the higher authorities at the Shiksha Bhavan with a recommendation for immediate intervention. However, the teachers’ associations have warned that if no concrete change is observed in the next pay cycle, they will move toward a “Pen-Down Strike” across the state.
