Will re-advertise 595 posts of teachers, state tells HC

Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 23

Just over three years after the Punjab and Haryana High Court took suo motu cognisance of unemployed teachers climbing up mobile towers during their protests, the Punjab Government has decided to re-advertise 595 vacant posts before filling these in accordance with law.

The selection process was initiated by the state for filling posts of teachers in 2015, and was completed in 2016. But 595 posts reserved for SC category could not be filled.

The Bench, during the course of hearing, was informed that the posts could not be filled as SC candidates were not available. The state government, in an additional affidavit, subsequently told the Bench that interchangeability of reserved seats between the SC and other Backward Class candidates was examined, but rejected.

Appearing before the Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Shanker Jha and Justice Lisa Gill during the resumed hearing of the case, an Additional Advocate-General submitted that the authorities had now taken a decision to re-advertise the posts and fill the same in accordance with law.

“In view of the facts and events that have transpired, we do not find any reason to keep the present petition pending, which was initiated suo motu by this court on account of the illegal mode of protest adopted by certain persons,” the Bench said.

It added that issues subsequently taken up by the court in the case, too, had been addressed and appropriate orders passed in another public interest litigation. Dismissing the suo motu petition, the Bench observed nothing survived for decision.

The Bench took on record the statement of Additional Advocate-General, who on instructions from DPI (EE) senior assistant Malka Rani, submitted that they were “taking up steps for filling the posts in accordance with law, including steps of examining the issue of seeking de-reservation, if so advised, as contained in Section 7 (2) of the Punjab Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (Reservation in Service) Act, 2006”.

The HC had earlier asked the state to expedite filling of vacancies for elementary teachers. The Bench was told that there were more vacancies than eligible candidates. Amicus curiae or the friend of the court Tanu Bedi had submitted that every eligible candidate would land up with a job, if proper procedure was applied.