HC slams school service commission chairman regarding appointment of teachers

TT, March 23: The high court today criticised Subiresh Bhattacharya, the school service commission chairman, for his failure to help the court dispose of cases related to the appointment of teachers in upper primary schools.

Bhattacharya attended the court of Justice Rajiv Sharma in response to an earlier order.

"Due to your negligent attitude, a number of pending cases related to appointment of teachers in upper primary schools (Class V to Class VII) could not be disposed of. As a result, the candidates who cleared the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) are facing hardship," Justice Sharma told the chairman.

"On several occasions, this court has sought clarifications from your department and directed it to produce documents related to the appointment of teachers in upper primary schools but has not received any response. This is unfortunate."

The judge asked the chairman why he did not appoint an officer to monitor the cases lodged against the commission and produce documents and give clarifications whenever the court asks for them. "This will help the court dispose of the cases quicker," the judge said.

The chairman admitted his fault and assured the court that he would soon appoint an officer to deal with matters related to the court.

"I will appoint an officer soon. The officer will provide the documents and clarifications sought by the court," the chairman submitted.

The process of recruiting teachers had started last September. The commission was supposed to call the TET-qualified candidates for a viva but a large number of such candidates moved the high court alleging they had not received the call.

The high court is yet to dispose of the cases as the commission has failed to assist the court.

The court summoned the chairman in connection with a case moved by ex-serviceman Shiladitya Sarkar, who had cracked TET 2016 but is yet to get a call for the interview.

The matter will be heard again on March 31.