Government schools and government offices in Maharashtra have been facing a possible shutdown since April 21 when 1.7 million employees and teachers decided to go on an indefinite strike.
The decision, announced on March 7 by the Government, Semi-Government, Teaching and Non-Teaching Staff Coordinating Committee, follows months of unresolved grievances ranging from pension rules to chronic staff shortages.
“We have held seven meetings so far. We have been trying to bring this matter to the attention of the government. But it has not acted on the promises it made to us earlier,” said Vishwas Katkar, coordination committee of the Central Civil Service Union.
“The protestors will include 5.5 million class III, class IV state government employees (such as employees of the state secretariat, sales tax department etc.), 7 million teachers and non-teaching staff of zilla Farasad and Nagar Farasad schools, 3.5 million Zilla Parishad class III and class IV employees (having semi-government status) and Nagar Parishad employees,” he added.
The employee unions formally informed the state government of their decision to continue the agitation. Convener Mr. Katkar said that despite earlier assurances after meetings with the previous administration, several key demands remain outstanding.
While the government in March 2024 approved a revised pension scheme to match the centre’s model, employees point to the lack of an official notification with detailed procedures and conditions. The union says that left individuals who retired after that date without interim retirement benefits.
The memorandum submitted by the coordination committee lists several outstanding issues. He notes that filling vacancies continues at a slow pace, putting a strain on existing staff. The committee has called for regularization of contract workers, some of whom have been employed against sanctioned posts for up to ten years. It also calls for waiting-listed candidates to be considered for compassionate appointments as a one-off measure, citing age restrictions that make many applicants ineligible.
Other demands include raising the retirement age to 60 — the norm in 26 other states — and implementing a “10:20:30” guaranteed career progression system for both teaching and non-teaching staff. Teachers from partially aided schools appointed before 1 November 2005 apply for coverage under the old pension scheme.
Unions also criticized the moratorium on hiring Class IV workers and drivers, calling the policy impractical and calling for a review. They suggested setting up a regular forum for dialogue at the chief minister level to address sector-specific issues.
Mr. Katkar said the decision to strike was taken by the state executive after noticing the government’s lack of response to long-pending issues. The proposed event, which is scheduled to begin on April 21, is expected to attract participation from employees across ministries, parastatals, municipal councils, and the health and education sectors.
Published – 19 March 2026 12:54 IST
