One Rupam Shukla (27), a contract teacher of Rama Krishna Mission at Hatamuniguda under the Muniguda police limits, 55 km from here, has filed an FIR on January 14 against the secretary and the principal of the school alleging mental torture and sexual harassment.
Police registered a case against the duo.
Shukla, who joined the RK Mission seven months back, was only given an offer letter but no joining letter. She had taken leave on January 2 and when she came back on January 6, she was not allowed to join and rather harassed.
To her shock and dismay, she was served with a termination letter without any prior warning or at least one month’s notice as per the Contract labour Act.
She appealed to the school authorities and sought to know her fault, but she was not responded. She also sought the help of the district Collector of Rayagada, but in vain. The police too did not come to her rescue.
“There is an undercurrent of dissatisfaction among many of teachers and staff over mismanagement of the school. But none dares to go against Swamiji, the secretary of the school.
In my termination case, I want a proper investigation into the charges leveled against me before driving me out of the job. I know that Swamiji has good political nexus. Nevertheless, I will continue to fight for
justice and fair play,” said Shukla.
The school authorities refuted the charges leveled by Shukla and termed those as baseless. Swamiji told that not only the lady teacher habitually skipped her duties but also violated the principles of the institute.
“Our school has 520 tribal students from undivided Koraput district. All we want is discipline and dedicated service from each employee. So there is no personal grudge against Shukla. She had been warned of for her conduct in past but it was found that she did not rectify her. She continued to breach the ethics and code of conduct of the school,” said the principal of the school, providing the reason why the teacher was laid off.
When asked whether the school administration was not violating the rules by terminating the teacher without serving a prior notice, the secretary said the institution was not obliged to any such commitment.
Meanwhile, Shukla, who belongs to West Bengal, has gone to her home State after her termination.
But the Collector wants her to be present on Saturday for an inquiry. Swamiji and the principal of the school too have been summoned by the district SP.