Thiruvananthapuram: Kollam’s literacy promoter ES Bijumon took his own life due to severe financial burden due to suspension of honorarium, family said. It has been six months since the honorarium for the promoters including Bijumon stopped. Friends also say that Bijumon was sad that he would have to take his own life if there was no result despite his struggle.
Not only Bijumon, but also 1740 literacy promoters in the state are finding it difficult to carry on with their lives. According to the Literacy Prakash Association, 8 people have taken their lives so far due to the economic crisis. The monthly salary of promoters ranges from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,500. Assuming an average monthly salary of Rs 10,000, the payment per person is Rs 60,000. Then the total required to pay the current dues is Rs.10 crores and 44 lakhs.
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President’s award-winning literacy motivator took his own life
ES Bijumon (49) of Mankot Patekar Bindu Mandir was the Literacy Mission Block Nodal Coordinator who was awarded the President’s Award for Best Literacy Worker. He is single. Lived with mother and sister. He was a Literacy Mission Worker for more than 25 years.
Officials of the Kerala State Prerak Association said that Bijumon was depressed for days due to non-payment of wages.
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According to his friends, he has said several times that he will become a martyr for the literacy workers of the state if the state government does not implement job reallocation in the budget or make an announcement to pay arrears. A literacy mission worker for over 25 years, Bijumon has also worked as a media activist.
Those with fewer learners are paid less
Until 2009, the wages of the literacy promoters were paid using central funds. When the central assistance stopped, the state took over the cost and ordered the wages to be Rs 12,000-15,000. 60% of this is state share. 40% Literacy Mission should be found from its own funds. Literacy Mission does not get 40% share as its own income is very low.
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Meanwhile, a target was also fixed for the salary of the promoters. In 2017, the salary order was adjusted, but the salary was received for three months. Then the reward is paid according to the number of learners. Nodal coordinators at the block level get Rs 15,000 as per the government order but not more than Rs 8,000 as per the revised target system. 3000-4000 rupees for less learners. 60% share till September 2022 disbursed. The reward is due after that. It was announced that they would be taken over by the panchayat, but the action did not go anywhere.
On strike in front of the Secretariat for 82 days
For the past 82 days, the Prerakmars have been on strike in front of the Secretariat under the leadership of the Literacy Prerak Association. Bijumon was hoping that the budget would allocate the amount to get the salary. When this was not implemented, all hope was given up.
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