March 2, Kohima: Nagaland's Advisor for School Education and SCERT, Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, said today that the ongoing agitation by some government teachers must strictly adhere to legal process and financial discipline, even as the government empathizes with their grievances.
Speaking to media persons, he referred to the protests by the RMSA 2010 and 2013 batches under the Nagaland Government Teachers Association (NGTA) and the recent All Nagaland Adhoc Teachers Group (ANATG)-2015 Batch. Mr. Yhome said the department has been engaging with all stakeholders, but cannot make decisions under pressure.
He said that teachers have been protesting in front of the Directorate and in the streets, adding that while many of their demands are reasonable, some are not, and no government can act outside the rule of law.
The Advisor clarified that the School Education Department comprises four categories of employees — regular employees on the state payroll, ad hoc teachers receiving scale pay, contract teachers under centrally sponsored schemes, and contingency or fixed-pay staff.
He noted that many of those currently agitating fall under the contract or scheme category and are demanding that their salaries be shifted to the state plan. However, he said such a move would have serious financial repercussions and the teachers cannot detect the state government.
He stated that the department receives central assistance in four installments and that shifting salaries to the state plan would result in the loss of over INR 80 crore in central support, which would then become a liability for the State.
He acknowledged that the state government had taken a cabinet and legislative decision to regularise the Adhoc/ contract employees, despite the Supreme Court ruling in Secretary, State of Karnataka v. Uma Devi, which restricts the regularisation of backdoor appointees.
However, he said the regularisation process requires submission and verification of appointment orders, regularisation orders against vacancies, release orders, mark sheets, medical fitness certificates and APAR records.
He warned that if fake or irregular certificates are detected during verification, termination and recovery of emoluments will follow.
Expressing concern over continued agitation and absenteeism, Mr. Yhome said children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are suffering.
He cautioned that prolonged absence without leave could attract suspension and service breaks under service rules, affecting salary and continuity of service.
While assuring teachers that the government understands their difficulties, the Advisor appealed for patience and cooperation, reiterating that decisions must go through the School Education Department, P&AR, Finance, Law and Justice departments, and finally the Cabinet, and that no decision will be taken without due process of law.