Taking cognizance on the unofficial reports that teachers have submitted medical certificates by feigning illness to avoid mandatory transfers under new policy, Chief Minister Harish Rawat has directed State Chief Secretary N Ravishankar to scrutinise the medical certificates presented with a purpose of appointment at accessible and plain areas by the State Government employees. “If medical certificates are found improper in the scrutiny, State Government should take strict disciplinary actions against those found guilty,” the order said.
The CM’s order has come as shocker for both Health and Education department. When contacted the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Dehradun Dr SP Agarwal told The Pioneer that the possibility to feign illness for medical certificates for transfers is remote as such certificates are released by a full-fledged medical board. The Medical board at CMO office is convened on first and third Thursday of every month. Agarwal however added that his office is open for every scrutiny.The Director General (DG) of school education D Senthil Pandian told The Pioneer that if the medical certificate of any employee is found improper, then strict action would be taken against the employee concerned. He added that the transfers are strictly being done as per the transfers’ policy.
The President of Garhwal division of teaching body, Rajkeeya Shikshak Sangh (RSS), Ram Singh Chauhan said that all the medical reports submitted for transfers should be thoroughly scrutinized. He said that the rumours of fake medical certificates are not good for teachers and education department. Another senior member of RSS Sohan Singh Majila was of the opinion that the authority of medical board should be beyond any doubt.
It was learnt that many employees manage to hoodwink the doctors of medical board by producing fake medical history by colluding with some private hospitals. It is alleged that these employees with connections with high and mighty even manage the officials of medical board for making a report in their favour.With strength of more than 1 lakh the school teachers constitute the biggest bulk of government employees in Uttarakhand and transfer is one of the most contentious issues with allegations of favouritism running thick and fast.
Taking a step in positive direction the state government introduced ‘Uttarakhand school teacher first appointment, promotion transfer posting (fourth amendment) guidelines 2014’, popularly called transfer policy, last year. The policy proposes elaborate methods for ensuring transparent and fair transfers. In the provisions the policy mandates that every year 15 percent of vacant posts in schools located in inaccessible areas would be filled by transfers from those posted in accessible area while 10 percent of the vacant posts in accessible schools would filled by transfers from accessible areas. The department also made point based merit system on which the transfers would be done. In a humane angle for those suffering from critical diseases an exemption in transfers is made. It is now alleged that many teachers are making use of this clause to prevent them from coming under the ambit of compulsory transfers and making every possible effort to certify them as seriously ill.