General Secretary of the Punjab Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organisation (PFUCTO), Dr Jagwant Singh, said the new pay scale was notified by the Ministry of Human Resource Development on December 31, 2008. He pointed out that teachers’ pay scales were revised under the terms of reference of the Sixth Pay Commission which was to be implemented from September 2008. “Notification of the UGC pay scale was delayed due to the imposition of the model code of conduct after the announcement of assembly elections,” Singh said. 

He also averred that the Central government had announced that it would bear the additional financial burden arising out of the pay revision up to the extent of 80 per cent from the period of January 1, 2006 to March 31, 2010. “Since the state government has to bear only 20 per cent of the liability, it should not be difficult for the Punjab government to accept the demand of the teachers,” said Singh.