West Bengal will file review petition in Supreme Court on annulment of employment, says Chief Secretary

West Bengal government to file review petition for annulled teacher appointments, ensuring support for affected teachers.

As protests continued to rage in the State, over the annulment of appointments of 25,752 teachers and non teaching staff, West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on Wednesday assured the State government will file a review petition before the Supreme Court.

Emphasising that the State government stands with the affected teachers, Mr. Pant said that the State government has already filed a “clarificatory petition” where the West Bengal government has prayed for a status quo.

“We have filed a petition in the Supreme Court. Where we have said that everyone should continue working. We are also going for a review petition. In this case, the legal issues are being examined. We assure again that we are with you [affected teachers and non teaching staff],” the Chief Secretary said.

Also Read | Supreme Court sets aside CBI probe into West Bengal supernumerary school posts

A Supreme Court order on April 3, which upheld an earlier decision of Calcutta High Court had annulled the appointment of 25,752 teachers resulting in a major crisis in the West Bengal school education department. The challenge before the State government is to keep schools functioning in the State.

The Chief Secretary held a press conference after the affected teachers gathered outside the Office District Inspector of Schools in South Kolkata. The police resorted to force and used “baton charge” on the protesting teachers.

Urging teachers not to do not do :anything that will disrupt peace and order, Mr. Pant said that “teachers have a special role in society. We respect them”.