Take corrective steps, Pradhan tells Mamata | India News

NEW DELHI: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee regarding widespread irregularities, highlighted by the huge cash haul from former Bengal education minister Partha Chatterjee, in teacher recruitment in the state and urged her for corrective measures, in what could turn out to be another flash point between the Centre and TMC.
Pradhan also stated that the recruitment process of Group C and D staff in state government-aided schools is a matter of grave concern.
The letter was sent on the eve of a hearing by the Calcutta high court on the teacher rescruitment scam scheduled on Wednesday.
Pradhan in his letter stating that education is the foundation for an equitable and just society, said: “Teachers are at the centre of the education system and recruitment of them through a transparent process is crucial to ensure respect, dignity and at the same time instilling accountability in the system.”
Highlighting that while the State Level Selection Test (SLST) was started in 2014, Pradhan wrote that the actual recruitment took place in 2016. Along with delay in the recruitment, Pradhan said the process too was compromised. “Further, the recruitment process was compromised and several petitions against this process were filed. Another related case is the recruitment process of Group C and D staff in government-aided or aided schools as notified by the state government in 2016 to the School Service Commission (SSC), is also a matter of grave concern.”