Thousands of Government teachers of the State are hoping that the new State Government led by Trivendra Singh Rawat would constitute and implement a ‘Teachers Act’ to root out favoritism in their transfers. The Governor’s address in State assembly, which sets the agenda of the Government, on Friday also clearly mentioned that the Government would bring in a ‘Transfer Act’ to bring in transparency in transfer of Government employees in Uttarakhand.
In education department which constitutes major chunk of Government employees, the transfer of teachers is the most contentious issue. In transfer of teachers the allegation of nepotism, money power and favoritism are common. To address the issue the previous BJP Government led by Major General B C Khanduri (Rtd) brought the transfer act but the subsequent Congress Government repealed it.
The Harish Rawat Government in December 2014 brought School teacher first appointment, Promotion, transfer posting (fourth amendment) guidelines, 2014 and termed it as transfer policy. This policy was however rejected by the teachers. They argue that the officials have got powers to mould the transfer policy which makes it redundant. Teachers demand that the since Transfer Act would have to be passed by the State assembly, it would have constitutional status.
The General Secretary of the Prathemik Shikshak Sangh (PSS), the organisation of Primary teachers, Digvijay Singh said that they would support the Government if it brings in a transfer act. “We want the Government to usher in reforms in education sector and implement transfer act. The teachers should also understand that they would not be transferred outside the State and if they still face problems than they should leave the job as large number of unemployed youths are available,’’ he said.
The President of the Junior High School Shikshak Sangh, Subhash Chauhan too assured support of his organisation if the Government brings in a transfer act. The General Secretary of the Rajkeeya Shikshak Sangh (RSS), Sohan Singh Majila said that the new Government should work in the direction of providing teachers and Head masters in all schools and implement Transfer act.
One teacher posted in Chakrata block of Dehradun said “The transfer act would ensure that Government employees are posted in required numbers in the remote mountainous areas of the State. In absence of employee like teachers and doctors the schools and hospitals located in these areas have become useless. This act would also help in preventing migration from the mountainous areas of the State.’’