HC orders status quo in JBT teacher’s case

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 8

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today passed an order to maintain status quo in case of a newly appointed JBT teacher of 2014 batch. The development is significant as the state Education Department had issued show cause notices to around 1,200 such teachers regarding termination of their services.

The candidate, Virender Kumar, had moved the High Court against the state and other respondents through counsel HS Sethi. In his petition placed before the Vacation Bench of Justice Augustine George Masih, Sethi contented that petitioner, who was in the select list, was not to be disturbed as per statement given by the Haryana Advocate-General, which was recorded by a Division Bench of this court in another related matter.

But a communication dated June 2, addressed by the Director, Elementary Education, to the District Elementary Education Officer, stated that the candidates in the joint list, who fell beyond the posts advertised, were to be removed from service or their appointment letters withdrawn after giving them show cause notice. His counsel expressed apprehension that it may include the petitioner.

He contended that this would be in contrary to the statement, made by the Advocate-General. A Division Bench had directed the Haryana Government to prepare a combined merit list of eligible candidates, who had cleared the HTET in 2011 and 2013 and appoint teachers accordingly.