PM Modi Pledges Support for 25,753 Teachers Amid Bengal Recruitment Scam

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pledged to support 25,753 teachers and non-teaching employees in West Bengal whose appointments were cancelled by the Calcutta High Court due to irregularities in theSchool Service Commission (SSC) recruitment process. Modi made this announcement at an election rally in Bardhaman-Durgapur on Friday, amid criticism from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Why this matters: The fallout of the SSC scam has significant implications for the education system in West Bengal, affecting the livelihoods of thousands of teachers and the quality of education for students. The controversy also highlights the need for transparency and accountability in government recruitment processes, which is essential for maintaining public trust in institutions.

Modi condemned the corruption in school recruitment by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal, calling it "shameful." He said,"Although I want those involved in corruption by the TMC to be punished, I don't want the innocent to suffer. "The Prime Minister has asked the West Bengal BJP unit to create a separate legal cell and social media platform to provide assistance to genuine candidates and teachers who have lost their jobs due to the SSC scam.

The Calcutta High Court had declared the recruitment process of the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools as "null and void," ordering the cancellation of all appointments made through it. As a result, around 26,000 people have lost their jobs following the court order. The court's decree extends further, necessitating individuals appointed under the invalidated process to refund their salaries within a stipulated six-week period.

Modi assured that the BJP will support honest candidates and provide them with legal help, stating, "BJP will support such honest candidates and will provide them legal help and will fight for them. This is Modi's guarantee." However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused Modi of hypocrisy, saying, "As elections are going on, just to garner support from the people, Modi is saying that he will help the genuine SSC candidates. Where was he when the Calcutta High Court gave the order?"

The 2016 SSC scam in Bengal stems from the inception of the teacher hiring procedure in state-owned schools through the State Level Selection Test (SLST) in 2014, with the recruitment officially starting in 2016. Multiple petitions were lodged in the high court asserting discrepancies in the scandal, including allegations of candidates with lower scores being ranked higher on the merit roster and individuals not listed on the merit roster receiving appointment letters.

The West Bengal government has approached the Supreme Court, contesting the decision of the Calcutta High Court. Banerjee reacted to the verdict, saying,"The court verdict cancelling all recruitments is illegal. We stand by those who lost jobs. We will ensure you get justice, and challenge the order in a higher court. "However, quick relief to those affected is unlikely soon. The issue remains crucial as most of the affected teachers reside in the 36 constituencies that will go to the polls in the remaining five phases of the ongoing West Bengal elections.

Key Takeaways

• PM Modi pledges support to 25,753 teachers and staff in West Bengal affected by SSC recruitment scam.
• Calcutta High Court cancels 26,000 appointments due to irregularities in SSC recruitment process.
• Modi condemns TMC government's corruption, offers legal help to genuine candidates.
• West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee accuses Modi of hypocrisy, vows to challenge court order.
• Issue affects 36 constituencies in ongoing West Bengal elections, with quick relief unlikely.