ATAN in hectic parleys; meet senior Ministers

‘All teachers recommended by DVC & approved by Cabinet be retained promptly’

The Aggrieved Teachers Association Nagaland (ATAN) has demanded that the services of all teachers recommended by the departmental verification committee (DVC) and approved by the state cabinet be “retained promptly.”
ATAN in a representation to all DAN legislators highlighted the pertinent facts relating to investigation into bogus appointments in the state Education department and sought “reasoned consideration” for retention on services of ATAN members in accordance with the state Cabinet decision dated March 21, 2011.
In a hurried press briefing held Tuesday night here in Dimapur, ATAN members informed that they had earlier in the day met with Health & Family Welfare minister Kuzholuzo Nienu and Planning & Co-ordination Minister TR Zeliang in Kohima.
According to ATAN, the two Ministers were also of the view that it would be more “justifiable and agreeable” if teachers are placed in their previous postings.
Narrating the series of hardships faced by ATAN members, ATAN spokesperson Aaron told mediapersons that the two reports earlier submitted by the special investigation team (SIT) headed by commissioner of Vigilance & Anti –Corruption were not only contradictory and full of anomalies but quite unsatisfactory.
ATAN said that the recommendation of subsequent probe set up in the form of special verification committee (SVC) in each district headed by the deputy commissioner was neither made public nor acted upon by the state government.
Finally, the departmental verification committee (DVC) which was set up to re-examine the SIT report, submitted its final report and the department endorsed the same for cabinet approval and the cabinet approved the report vide memorandum No. CAB-2/2008 (Pt) dated 21.03.2011, ATAN said.
The DVC report had broadly classified the teachers into four categories – those whose services are required to be retained; those who should be made to face a suitability test; those to whom should be issued show-cause notice, and those whose services should be terminated.
ATAN said that besides granting approval to the above recommendations, the cabinet had directed to retain all teachers, irrespective of the mentioned categories except those falling under “whose services are to be terminated.” “To retain means to allow the teachers to remain/continue in the same post against which they were originally appointed,” the representation stated.
Alleging bureaucratic interference, ATAN said that the Commissioner & Secretary, School Education, had granted fresh appointments to all teachers under SSA and RMSA, which ATAN said, “resulted in public outcry” including that from the Naga Students’ Federation and Naga Mothers Association.
ATAN is of the view that there would not have been any public outcry and present imbroglio avoided if only the Education department had retained the teachers, in consonance with DVC recommendation and as approved by the cabinet.
“Though we have sufficient proof in our favour to seek relief in the court of law, because of the fact that we have confidence in the elected government to render justice, we have refrained from approaching the court,” the representation added. Meanwhile, it is reported that the state government is scheduled to have a meeting Wednesday to decide the fate of the aggrieved teachers.



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