Dist Councils rapped for violating rules
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 05:
A representation outlining the alleged irregular appointment of 1014 Assistant teachers in the six District Councils of five hill districts of the State has been submitted to Governor Dr SS Sidhu with all the relevant documents.
The representation which seeks the termination of services of the irregular appointments was submitted by two social workers of Chandel district, P Maphun Maring and M Simon Lamkang.
Giving a detailed account of the 'irregular appointment' the representation said that 1014 Assistant teachers were appointed on regular basis during 2006-2007 in collusion with politicians, officials and hill based underground outfits.
Coming straight to the point, the representation said that though the number of posts advised to be filled up in the six district councils was 247, a total of 1014 teachers were appointed in contravention of all laid down norms and rules.
Citing the reasons why the appointments are irregular, the two social workers said that though the district councils can create posts under Rule 44 of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Councils rule, 1972, it can do so only with the approval of the State Government.
In the present case, the posts created by the District Councils are yet to be approved by the Administrative Department, it said and added that this is especially true in the case of Senapati, Churachandpur and Sadar hills.
Going further, the representation said that the district councils had recommended the names of candidates in the waiting list, which is more than 10 pc of the posts advertised or requisitioned through the Employment Exchange.
This violates the ruling of the Supreme Court.
Citing an example, the representation said that in Ukhrul, 186 candidates were included in the waiting list against the 35 posts advertised for requisition.
Similar are the cases in other districts, claimed the representation.
The district councils can increase the vacancies to only 10 pc of the posts advertised and if the vacancies available exceeds this then the posts should be advertised.
This was however not followed violating the Act of Compulsory notification of all available vacancies through Employment Exchanges.
The representation also alleged that the respective CEOs have drawn the pay and allowances of the irregularly appointed Assistant teachers (1014) for three months and collected two months pay from each teacher which works out to Rs 14,000 each teacher to forestall their termination by paying the higher authority.
The total amount therefore works out at Rs 1,14,96,000 (14000x1014).The high power committee chaired by the Chief Secretary had submitted its report to the Chief Minister to do the needful, but so far nothing has been done, said the representation and wondered whether the Chief Minister is waiting for the present Chief Secretary to leave so that he can do as he pleases with the new Chief Secretary.
The representation also questioned why no action has been taken though the Principal Secretary (Hills/TD) has written to all the CEOs to terminate the service of the irregularly appointed teachers.