Cancellation of transfer orders of about 159 teachers of the basic education sector by Chief Minister Harish Rawat, overruling his Education Minister's order on the matter had many eyebrows raised towards the fag end of last month. However, it is a matter of opinion whether this (cancellation of teachers' transfer order) was a show-off on Chief Minister Harish Rawat's part or otherwise. However, the fact is that no official communiqué has yet been received by the office of the Additional Director (basic education) Kumaon division, Nainital in regard to the matter.
The officials concerned of education department here informed that they had yet not received any official information about the revocation of the transfer orders. Interestingly, it is to be noted that in the absence of a proper transfer policy, particularly in basic education sector, transfer of these teachers from hills to plains or elsewhere hogs media limelight off and on. More so, the reports of alleged manipulation as regards the transfer of teachers to places of their choices deepen doubt over the procedure invloving the transfer orders.
Therefore, there are reasons to believe that the Chief Minister had to step in to have the aforesaid transfer orders issued by the State Education Minister on August 27 abrogated. But, the officials concerned of the basic education department (Kumaon division) said, things are still murky with the government having not issued an official note to confirm the revocation of the earlier order.
It is pertinent to mention here that one of the most popular announcements that Chief Minister Rawat has made after assuming office early this year was related to opening door of employment for the trained but unemployed teachers in the basic education sector. But matters remain stuck in bogs of uncertainty as the government has not yet acted on it so far.