Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack/Bhubaneswar, Dec 17:

The Odisha Administrative Tribunal (OAT) in a significant verdict pronounced today, directed the state government to issue a revised notification with relaxed age norms in the case pertaining to appointment of contract teachers.

contract teachers' strike

The OAT has however, ruled that the age relaxation will be applicable for the current year only.

The Tribunal has further directed the state government to issue an amended notification to give chance to left out candidates and complete the recruitment process within two months.

It may be mentioned here that in 2014-15 academic year, the maximum age limit for appointment of contract teachers was for the first time reduced from 42 years to 32.

That apart, a minimum 50 percent marks in the aggregate at the graduation level was made mandatory in the eligibility criteria. Several cases challenging the government’s notification were filed at OAT.

In the meantime, the state government gave appointments to 3,802 contract teachers. However, the state government later told the High Court that it has quashed all such appointments.

On the other hand, 3,802 contract teachers continued with their fast-unto-death at the Lower PMG square in Bhubaneswar protesting against their retrenchment and state government’s failure to reappoint them in different high schools by the end of second week of this month despite assurances.

BJP and Congress leaders met the agitating teachers at the Lower PMG square and discussed with them on their demands.