Punjab CS told to look into issues of teachers

Thursday, 22/03/2012

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2012/20120322/punjab.htm#13

Acting on a petition filed by teachers and masters of government-aided privately managed schools for parity with government teachers for grant of proficiency step-up and other benefits, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to convene a high-level meeting.

The significance of the directions can be gauged from the fact that Justice Surya Kant, vide the order for convening a meeting, has disposed of a bunch of four petitions filed against the State of Punjab by Dharam Pal Angrish and other petitioners. One of the petitions was filed 18 years ago.

The petitioners were also seeking parity with government teachers "in the matter of" ACP on completion of eight and 18 years of the service and old age pension.

As the case came up for hearing, the respondents came up with a plea that "parity under the Act/Rules was confined to the grant of pay scale and dearness allowance only, which has been granted to the teachers working in the government aided schools at par with their counterparts in the government schools".

After hearing the arguments, Justice Surya Kant ordered: "The writ petitions are disposed of with a direction to the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, to convene a meeting to be attended by the Principal Secretary, Finance Department, Principal Secretary, Education Department, DPI Colleges; DPI Schools; and three authorised representatives of the Association formed by the managements of the government aided privately managed schools in Punjab and if there is no association, the president/secretary of the societies/trusts, who are running the maximum government aided private institutions in the state".

Justice Surya Kant added: "Punjab Advocate-General shall also nominate a senior law officer from his office to provide legal in-put with reference to several judgments cited by both the parties to facilitate the committee to arrive at a just and fair conclusion."

"The petitioners shall, meanwhile, be at liberty to submit a representation to the Principal Secretary, Education Department, along with copies of the court decisions relied upon by them."

"The committee shall deliberate upon the principal and related issues and give its recommendations, which may be finally approved by the Council of Ministers, if so required under the Rules of Business. If there arises a necessity to amend the Act/Rules, that may also be considered. Let the needful be done within a period of six months from the date a certified copy of this order is received."