Introduction
P.G. Dastoorkar Sir served as a Teacher-MLC in the Legislative Council from 1992 to 1996. During this six-year period, he fought tirelessly for justice for teachers, education, and schools, often challenging the Maharashtra Government in the Assembly multiple times. Particularly, he made special efforts to ensure that the Fifth Pay Commission was implemented for Maharashtra's teachers on par with Central Government teachers.
The Struggle & Working Style
P.G. Dastoorkar Sir would read extensively in the Legislative Assembly library, take meticulous notes, and present questions in a well-researched manner. Since joining as a Teacher-MLC, he had conscientiously raised various issues affecting teachers at multiple levels.
He was renowned as an activist-teacher in the education sector. He lived on rent in the house of "Moin Bhai" in Mittika Sher Galli, Nanded, and because of his relentless activism, people called him "The Real Lion of the Soil" (Assal Matitla Sher).
P.G. Dastoorkar Sir was deeply influenced by Marxist ideology, which gave a unique edge to both the teacher movement and the education movement.
The Fifth Pay Commission Battle
During the BJP–Shiv Sena government era, many issues arose concerning teachers and education. One of the most prominent was the Fifth Pay Commission — specifically, implementing it for Maharashtra's teachers on par with Central Government teachers.
Maharashtra Shikshak Mandal and P.G. Dastoorkar Sir waged a significant struggle for this cause. A crucial meeting was held under the chairmanship of Education Minister Sudhirbhau Joshi and Home Minister Gopinathrao Munde regarding the implementation of the 5th Pay Commission for Maharashtra's teachers.
The meeting with R.G. Karnik Sir and P.G. Dastoorkar Sir lasted 3.5 hours. Various topics were discussed, and the points for salary increase were firmly presented by R.G. Karnik and P.G. Dastoorkar. As a result, teachers received the pay increase as per the Fifth Pay Commission.
The Contract Teacher Issue
An important issue during the Fifth Pay Commission era was that of contract teachers. P.G. Dastoorkar Sir did not accept the concept of a "contract teacher" — essentially a tied or bound teacher. According to him, a teacher is a Social Engineer.
A teacher builds the various components needed by society through education. A teacher is an intellectual — not a laborer. The work of imparting knowledge to students is truly a service of providing knowledge.
A teacher should be full-time, not contractual. A teacher should be mentally and physically healthy. They provide full-time educational service and continue to serve even after retirement.
Due to this well-researched presentation against the contract teacher position, both ministers in the meeting with the Education Minister and Home Minister accepted the argument of R.G. Karnik Sir and P.G. Dastoorkar Sir, and the contract teacher post was abolished — this was a major victory for the teacher movement.
Historical Salary Increases
To ensure that state government teachers received a salary increase on par with central government teachers as per the Fifth Pay Commission, R.G. Karnik Sir and P.G. Dastoorkar Sir made an effective presentation with well-researched data, resulting in teachers receiving a 35% salary increase.
However, under the Seventh Pay Commission during the BJP government era, only a 14% salary increase was granted. The BJP government also abolished the old pension scheme.
Legislative Achievements
During his tenure as Teacher-MLC, P.G. Dastoorkar Sir brought about a revolution in teachers' lives through the teacher movement by presenting bills such as job security for teachers, payment of teachers' salaries through banks, and education law.
As a Teacher-MLC, his speeches on various issues concerning teachers and education were well-researched. His speeches became famous for his spotless character, straightforwardness, quick wit, comprehensive vision, studious nature, powerful oratory, excellent and flawless presentation, statistics and timely references, commitment to the organization, and clear and loud voice.
As a result, the Government of Maharashtra honored P.G. Dastoorkar Sir, the Teacher-MLC, as 'Best Parliamentarian'.
Comrades in the Struggle
P.G. Dastoorkar Sir put in immense hard work and effort to take the teacher movement forward. He received invaluable support from the following people:
"Fear-free teachers, corruption-free quality education, fulfillment of duty, and struggle for rights"
— P.G. Dastoorkar Sir's Motto
State Pay Revision Committee
Taking into account the Central Government's decisions on the Fifth Central Pay Commission's recommendations, the State Pay Revision Committee 1997 was constituted under the chairmanship of retired Chief Secretary D.M. Sukthankar to recommend revised pay scales for state government employees and others. P.G. Dastoorkar Sir was a member of the Fifth Pay Commission. Due to his organizational role and contribution to the work, teachers' salaries increased and their financial situation improved.
Legacy
The movement created an inseparable bond: P.G. Dastoorkar meant the teacher movement, and the teacher movement meant P.G. Dastoorkar. To improve the quality of teachers, students, schools, society, and education, the quality of teachers must improve, and for that, teachers' salaries, allowances, and job security must be ensured — that is why the struggle he led for teachers to receive increased salaries as per the Fifth Pay Commission was successful.
Author: Dr. Subhash Dagade — Kasar Mission Administration, Satara
Contact: 9850076387