Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The implementation of a Bombay High Court ruling on minority educational institutions has emerged as a fresh point of confrontation between the Goa Congress and the state government, with former GPCC president Amit Patkar demanding that pending cases involving teachers and staff be cleared within 10 days.
Patkar has questioned the delay in acting on the court’s October 2025 judgment, particularly in cases concerning appointments and related service matters in minority educational institutions.
According to Patkar, the issue has affected a large number of teachers and non-teaching employees whose cases involve appointment approvals, regularisation, promotions, salaries, grants and other service benefits. He claimed that the number of pending matters has grown from 107 to nearly 400.
The Congress leader said the dispute has consequences beyond the administrative functioning of educational institutions, as prolonged delays can affect the financial security and career progression of employees.
He also pointed to the scale of the Diocesan Society of Education, which runs 138 institutions across Goa, arguing that decisions involving such a large network have a direct bearing on teachers, staff, parents and students.
Patkar’s criticism centres on the balance between government regulation and the constitutional autonomy of minority institutions. While acknowledging the state’s role in maintaining educational standards and ensuring prescribed qualifications, he argued that administrative procedures should not undermine rights guaranteed under Article 30(1) of the Constitution.
Referring to the High Court decision, Patkar said the court had found fault with the Education Department’s approach and issued directions concerning the disputed appointments and pending approvals.
He has now called on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to ensure that the judgment is implemented and that the affected cases are dealt with without further delay.
The Congress leader has given the government 10 days to act. If the deadline passes without substantial progress, he said his party would support a democratic campaign involving affected teachers, employees and educational institutions.
The issue is likely to add to the political debate over the functioning of Goa’s education administration, with the Opposition demanding greater accountability over the handling of long-pending service cases.
