Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday wrote to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressing serious concern over alleged irregularities in the recruitment of teachers in the state and asked her to take corrective action.
The letter comes in the backdrop of the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation into the alleged multi-crore school job scam, in which it was now-sacked. West Bengal Minister Partha Chatterjeeon 23 July.
“It is a matter of grave concern that a large number of representations have been received from various teacher and teacher organizations of West Bengal regarding irregularities in teacher recruitment in West Bengal,” the letter said.
corrective measures
“The irregularities found in the West Bengal teacher recruitment scam will definitely hamper the quality of education and discourage the coming generation,” Mr Pradhan said. The CBI, as directed by the Calcutta High Court, is probing alleged irregularities in recruitment of Group C and D employees as well as teachers in government-sponsored and aided schools.
The ED, which is probing the money involved in the scam, has claimed that it has recovered around Rs 50 crore cash along with gold from an apartment belonging to Ms Arpita Mukherjee, one of Mr Chatterjee’s close associates.
appointment error
In the letter, Mr Pradhan cited a few instances of irregularities in the appointment of teachers through the State Level Selection Test (SLST). “I would like to draw your attention to a few examples. The process of appointment of teachers through State Level Selection Test (SLST) has been started in 2014. However, the actual recruitment can take place only after two years in 2016.” mentioned in the letter.
“Further, the recruitment process was compromised and a number of petitions were filed against the process. Another related matter is the recruitment process of Group C and D employees in government or aided schools, as laid down by the State Government School Service Commission in 2016. (SSC) is also a matter of serious concern.”
continuous support of the center
Mr Pradhan assured Ms Banerjee of the continued support and highest consideration of the Central Government to ensure access to quality education for all children in West Bengal.
Mr. Partha Chatterjee was dismissed from the state cabinet following his arrest and suspended from the Trinamool Congress party.
“Irregularities found in West Bengal teacher recruitment scam will definitely hamper the quality of education and discourage the coming generation”Dharmendra PradhanUnion Education Minister