Chandigarh: Around 180 Elementary Teacher Training (ETT) teachers from Punjab government schools reached Chandigarh on Friday to protest over long-pending demands, including salary disparity and pay parity with other teachers recruited in the same batch.
The teachers and their family members gathered in Sector 30 and began marching towards the Sector 39 residence of Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia. The protesters said they wanted to meet Sisodia peacefully and present their grievances regarding their jobs, salaries and service-related issues. Police intercepted the protesters during the march, and several protesters were reportedly detained.
The teachers subsequently sat and lay down on the road while protesting against the police action. They maintained that they had come to Chandigarh for a peaceful meeting and dialogue with government representatives.
ETT Teachers Demand Salary Parity
The primary demand of the protesting teachers is correction of the salary disparity between them and other teachers recruited during the same recruitment process.
The teachers claim they are currently being paid according to the 7th Central Pay Commission scales, while other teachers recruited in the same batch are receiving benefits under the Punjab government pay scales. They say the difference has resulted in a significant gap in their salaries and has made it difficult for them to manage household expenses amid rising costs.
The teachers are demanding that they be brought under the applicable Punjab government pay scale and that their long-pending service-related issues be resolved.
The protesters have also highlighted their previous attempts to meet government officials and ministers, saying their demands have remained unresolved despite repeated representations.
Dispute Dates Back to 2016 Recruitment
The teachers’ grievances are linked to the 2016 ETT recruitment process, conducted during the previous SAD-BJP government.
According to the protesters, they were subsequently dismissed over alleged irregularities in the recruitment process but were later reinstated following court orders. They are now seeking resolution of the issues related to their recruitment and service conditions.
The teachers have also alleged that a subsequent report by an IAS officer identified an error by an Education Department clerk in connection with the recruitment process. They are demanding action against the official they hold responsible.
These allegations have been made by the protesting teachers and have not been independently established.
Teachers Previously Protested Outside Minister’s Residence
The latest protest follows an earlier demonstration by the ETT teachers outside the Chandigarh residence of Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on August 22, 2026. The protesters were detained by police during that demonstration.
The teachers had also announced their plan to protest outside Sisodia’s residence in September over their recruitment, reinstatement and pay-scale demands. Around 180 teachers and their family members were expected to participate.
During Friday’s protest, many teachers arrived with their families and children. They questioned why they were being stopped when, according to them, they had come only to meet a government representative and seek a hearing on their long-pending demands.
The protesters said they would continue their agitation until the government holds talks with them and addresses issues including the salary disparity and other matters arising from the 2016 recruitment process.