The Gujarat State University and College Teachers Federation has decided to keep its agitation on hold till November 5 after the state government assured them of a favourable response.

Sources said the federation has received a verbal assurance from the government that the pay scale will be decided in accordance with the University Grant Commission (UGC) guidelines and not the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations.

State Education Minister Ramanlal Vora, Home Minister Amit Shah and Commisisoner of Higher Education Jayanti Ravi met a delegation headed by Chairman Prof KS Shastri and general secretary MM Raval on Saturday in this regard.

Shastri said: “The Education Minister has agreed that the teachers will be paid as per the UGC norms. The written orders are expected shortly. We have decided to keep the agitation on hold till November 5. They had appealed to us not to continue with the agitation. We will see the written order and call off the agitation if we find it satisfactory.”

The government’s decision to turn down the UGC recommended pay structure had invited flak from teachers across the state, who in turn had decided to opt for demonstrations like presenting blood-sprinkled flowers to the CM and signing protest letters with blood.

The agitation had received the support of the All India Federation of University and College Teachers Association (AIFUCTO).