Election row: Govt teacher union splits

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 10

The Himachal Government Teachers Union, an organisation of all cadres of teachers, split with rival factions holding separate election.

The HGTU fixed Bhattakufar near Shimla, the venue of the state election, on November 9 and expelled seven rebel leaders — a general secretary and six district presidents — but the rival faction held a parallel meeting at Hamirpur the same day and elected its leaders.

President of the HGTU Varinder Chauhan declared the election, held by the rival union, illegal and said the leaders were already expelled from the union for illegal activities.

The HGTU would file an FIR against the leaders for alleged embezzlement of more than Rs 16.83 lakh, said Chauhan, who was re-elected president.

Addressing mediapersons here today, he said the venue and programme of election were finalised by the general house at Shimla and elections were held as per programme.

Chauhan said some employees from the office of the Chief Minister and Education Minister asked some teachers not to participate in the election and even threatened them with transfers.

Claiming that some teachers had tapped their phone calls, he said these recordings would be made public and alleged that the expelled presidents had not deposited Rs 16.83 lakh and the union would register a case.

He also alleged that these teachers hatched a conspiracy to split the union and misused its banner.

The HGTU had asked the Education Department to send the observers but it refused to accede to the request and now they had come to know that the department had sent observers to Hamirpur where the rival group held the election, he said.

Chauhan said the office-bearers would call on the Chief Minister and Education Minster and submit the demand charter.

‘To file FIR over fund misuse’

• President of the HGTU Varinder Chauhan declared the rival group election illegal and said the leaders were already expelled from the union for illegal activities
• The HGTU would file an FIR against the leaders for alleged embezzlement of more than Rs 16.83 lakh
• Some employees from the office of the Chief Minister and Education Minister asked some teachers not to participate in the election and even threatened them with transfers.