HC rejects Odisha govt’s affidavit on recruitment of contractual teachers

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Nov 27:

The Odisha High Court has rejected the affidavit filed by the School and Mass Education department in connection with appointment of about 3,900 contractual teachers despite an interim stay.

A division bench of the High Court comprising of Justice Sanju Panda and Justice D P Choudhury rejected the affidavit filed by the School and Mass Education department on Thursday on cancellation of appointments of contractual teachers citing it to be flawed.

The division bench while directing the department to file a fresh affidavit in the matter fixed the next date of hearing for December 1.

Notably, the School and Mass Education department was required to file an affidavit conforming to strict adherence of the High Court’s interim stay of June 11, 2015 on appointment of contractual teachers. The High Court had directed the School and Mass Education department only for observance of its direction. The departmental secretary had assured the High Court for observance of its directions with regard to cancellation of appointments and contempt of court matter.

However, senior lawyer Budhadeb Routray, on behalf of the applicants contended that the affidavit submitted by the School and Mass Education department secretary and director Secondary Education was not acceptable.

It may be mentioned here that the state government had published a notification in 2014 for recruitment of 5,634 contractual teachers in different districts. The High Court had issued an interim stay on the appointments on June 11, 2015. Despite an interim stay of the High Court, the state government’s School and Mass Education department had given appointments to contractual teachers on June 12 the same year. Appointments continued thereafter and 3,900 persons were given appointments.

Following which Simanchal Sahu and others filed contempt of case in the matter. Admitting the matter, the High Court issued a show-cause notice to the secretary School and Mass Education department and director Secondary Education.

Secretary School and Mass Education department Ranjana Chopra in a personal appearance before the High Court on November 20 admitted of appointments being made in contempt of the court’s order and had assured to cancel the appointments.