The Crossbill News Desk
West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu on Sunday (May 25) appealed to protesting teachers to place their trust in the state government, reiterating that the administration has already filed a review petition following the Supreme Court’s decision to cancel over 25,000 school jobs.
Speaking to reporters, Basu acknowledged receiving a letter from the agitating teachers stationed outside Bikash Bhavan, the Education Department’s headquarters in Salt Lake. However, he noted that the letter did not clearly state the purpose of their request for a meeting.
“I have got a letter from the agitating teachers, but why they want to meet me is not mentioned in the letter,” Basu said.
He further informed that a senior official from the department will meet the teachers on Monday to understand their concerns.
“We are sympathetic towards them, if they want to sit, let them clearly mention in a format. Tomorrow, an official from our side will surely contact them. I have held meetings with them before also,” he claimed.
The teachers have been protesting in the wake of the Supreme Court’s April 3 order, which invalidated the recruitment of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff over irregularities in the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) selection process.
Basu said while some of the affected teachers continue their sit-in protest, others have rejoined work, expressing confidence in the state’s efforts.
“A section of the jobless teachers is participating in the sit-in protest, while another section is no longer part of the protests and are depending on the state government for future steps to solve the issue. The teachers have already joined back work and we are sympathetic towards their conditions, but we have to have faith in the state government, as per the orders of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. We will fight till the end,” he said.
The minister also cautioned the protestors against political manipulation, stating that the opposition is trying to politicise the issue.
Referring to the Supreme Court directive, Basu said the government will comply with the order and issue a fresh notification for recruitment exams. However, he noted that many of the affected teachers have already expressed unwillingness to sit for another exam after qualifying in 2016.
“We all have to abide by the Supreme Court order, the School Service Commission (SSC) has to also abide by the order. We are all trying to find a way. The State is responsible for all those affected, everything is with the Supreme Court we can only hope for the best,” he added.
Meanwhile, a section of the protestors also met with BJP MP and former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay on Sunday, and had earlier sought legal guidance from senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya regarding future steps.
The April verdict by the apex court has triggered massive unrest among affected teachers and non-teaching staff, many of whom claim to have secured their positions legitimately.
Speaking to reporters, Basu acknowledged receiving a letter from the agitating teachers stationed outside Bikash Bhavan, the Education Department’s headquarters in Salt Lake. However, he noted that the letter did not clearly state the purpose of their request for a meeting.
“I have got a letter from the agitating teachers, but why they want to meet me is not mentioned in the letter,” Basu said.
He further informed that a senior official from the department will meet the teachers on Monday to understand their concerns.
“We are sympathetic towards them, if they want to sit, let them clearly mention in a format. Tomorrow, an official from our side will surely contact them. I have held meetings with them before also,” he claimed.
The teachers have been protesting in the wake of the Supreme Court’s April 3 order, which invalidated the recruitment of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff over irregularities in the 2016 School Service Commission (SSC) selection process.
Basu said while some of the affected teachers continue their sit-in protest, others have rejoined work, expressing confidence in the state’s efforts.
“A section of the jobless teachers is participating in the sit-in protest, while another section is no longer part of the protests and are depending on the state government for future steps to solve the issue. The teachers have already joined back work and we are sympathetic towards their conditions, but we have to have faith in the state government, as per the orders of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. We will fight till the end,” he said.
The minister also cautioned the protestors against political manipulation, stating that the opposition is trying to politicise the issue.
Referring to the Supreme Court directive, Basu said the government will comply with the order and issue a fresh notification for recruitment exams. However, he noted that many of the affected teachers have already expressed unwillingness to sit for another exam after qualifying in 2016.
“We all have to abide by the Supreme Court order, the School Service Commission (SSC) has to also abide by the order. We are all trying to find a way. The State is responsible for all those affected, everything is with the Supreme Court we can only hope for the best,” he added.
Meanwhile, a section of the protestors also met with BJP MP and former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay on Sunday, and had earlier sought legal guidance from senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya regarding future steps.
The April verdict by the apex court has triggered massive unrest among affected teachers and non-teaching staff, many of whom claim to have secured their positions legitimately.
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