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In a significant blow to the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal, the Supreme Court has upheld the Calcutta High Court’s decision to cancel the appointment of more than 25,000 teachers and non-teaching staff. These appointments were made by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) in 2016.
The Supreme Court stated that the entire recruitment process was tainted by manipulation and fraud, making it unreliable and lacking credibility. The court clearly said that the appointments were the result of cheating and were therefore considered fraudulent. (Source: NDTV)
Supreme Court Stands by High Court Verdict
A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar confirmed the Calcutta High Court’s decision, stating that they found no reason to interfere. The court pointed out that the selection process was so deeply flawed that it could not be fixed. (Source: The Indian Express)
Fresh Selection Process Ordered
The Supreme Court has directed the West Bengal government to carry out a new selection process within three months. Those who succeed in this fresh recruitment will not have to return the salaries they have been drawing since 2016. However, those who fail to clear the new process will need to pay back the salaries they received.
Importantly, the court has given special consideration to persons with disabilities, allowing them to continue in their current positions even if they do not qualify in the new selection. (Source: Hindustan Times)
Issue of Supernumerary Posts
The controversy revolves around the state government creating extra posts (supernumerary posts) to accommodate more candidates. In 2016, around 23 lakh candidates appeared for the selection test, where the number of vacancies was 24,640. However, 25,753 appointment letters were issued, raising suspicions of illegal recruitment.
The irregularities exposed a major problem within the Trinamool Congress government, as several top leaders, including the former education minister Partha Chatterjee, have been jailed over the scandal. (Source: Times of India)
Political Fallout
Senior BJP leader Amit Malviya called the Supreme Court’s decision a “crushing defeat” for Mamata Banerjee. He pointed out that Partha Chatterjee, who was also the Education Minister and a close aide of Banerjee, was already in jail due to his involvement in the scam. Malviya demanded that the Chief Minister be held accountable as well. (Source: News18)
What This Means for Job Seekers
This ruling highlights the need for transparency in government recruitment. Candidates aspiring for government jobs should be careful about the legitimacy of recruitment processes. It’s essential to follow reliable government job portals like the National Career Service (NCS), which offers genuine job listings and career advice. (Visit NCS)