Taking cognisance of the alleged irregularities in the transfer of teachers, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat cancelled the transfers on Wednesday. The education department had released the transfer list of 159 primary teachers on Tuesday.
Interestingly, these transfers were made even though the senior department officials were consistently claiming that comprehensive modifications in the transfer policy are being taken and transfers would occur after these changes.
A joint delegation of the Prathmik Shikshak Sangh (PSS) and Junior High School Shikshak Sangh met CM Rawat at his residence on Wednesday. The leaders of the teacher organisations vehemently protested against the manner in which these transfers were carried out in gross violation of the norms. later in the day Surendra Kumar, the media adviser to the Chief Minister informed about the decision of Chief Minister. Kumar said that on the complaints of irregularities by the teaching organizations the CM got in touch with additional chief secretary S Raju and decided to cancel these transfers.
It is worth mentioning here that the education department carried these transfers as per the wish of Education minister Mantri Prasad Naithani. It is learnt that Naithani despite strong reservations of senior department officials virtually forced his way in these transfers and got the list released without endorsing it from CM.
The District President of PSS K S Krishali told The Pioneer that the Sangh would go ahead with its strike call which it has called from August 28. He said the PSS wants a written order of cancellation of these transfers. Krishali claimed that the remarks mentioning the reasons for the transfer in the list are both laughable and a cause of serious concern. He said flimsy reasons such as alcoholic husband and blood pressure are assigned for transfers. Krishali claimed that the list shows that some transfers were done even though the said candidate had not applied for it. He demanded that strict action should be taken against those responsible for preparing such transfer list.