Questions over posting of 13 teachers in Jalgaon, General Administration Department allegedly bypassed

Thirteen teachers of private minority schools in Jalgaon district, who had been declared surplus, were adjusted into the Zilla Parishad. Questions are now being raised over the primary education department's handling of the process. It has come to light that the General Administration Department was bypassed, the Chief Executive Officer's signature was taken directly and the process was completed.

CEO Karishma Nair has already said she was not present during the process. This has raised the question of in whose presence and under what procedure the adjustment was carried out.

CEO Nair has clarified that the adjustment of surplus municipal teachers was done as per rules and in her presence. However, it is understood that the file on the adjustment of the 13 private minority school teachers never reached the office superintendent, the administration officer and the junior assistant of the General Administration Department for scrutiny and opinion. If the process was completed by skipping the scrutiny of the department concerned, the reason should be explained.

Under government policy, schools with a single teacher and schools in PESA areas must be given priority when surplus teachers are adjusted. It is alleged that, contrary to this, postings of convenience were given. Teachers and social organisations have objected to postings being given within the same taluka. The names of two employees and officials of the primary education department are being discussed on social media in connection with the matter.

A post going viral on social media claims that Rs 30 lakh was collected in the adjustment process. The claim has made the matter more serious, and its truth should be investigated separately. There has been no official confirmation of these allegations so far.

Teachers and social organisations have taken an aggressive stand. The administration will have to answer whether the postings were made as per government policy, why the file was not scrutinised, and whether there is any truth in the social media claim of financial irregularity. CEO Karishma Nair has said the adjustment process will be probed once a written complaint is received.