New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal has suffered a significant setback as the Supreme Court upheld a Calcutta High Court order, voiding the appointments of over 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff. This decision not only highlights the alleged recruitment fraud that marred the hiring process but also marks a broader issue of governmental accountability.
The controversy centers around the 2016 recruitment process by the West Bengal School Service Commission, which was found to be tainted by manipulation and fraud. Despite the state government’s efforts to challenge the High Court ruling, the Supreme Court saw no reason to interfere, affirming that the entire selection process lacked credibility.
At the heart of the controversy are “supernumerary posts” created by the state government, which allowed more appointment letters to be issued than there were vacant positions. This irregularity has been linked to a broader recruitment scam that has implicated several top Trinamool Congress leaders, including former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee.
To rectify the situation, the state government has been directed to conduct a fresh recruitment process within three months. Candidates who succeed in this new selection process will not be required to return their previous salaries, while those who fail must repay. An exception has been made for persons with disabilities, who can continue in their current roles.
Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya has termed the Supreme Court verdict as a “crushing defeat” for Mamata Banerjee, emphasizing the need for accountability. The scandal has broader implications for the Trinamool Congress government, with several key figures already in jail in connection with the case.
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