Are There Irregularities in Teacher Transfers in Madhya Pradesh?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kamal Nath alleges corruption in teacher transfers.
- Only 7,000 out of 45,000 applicants received transfers.
- Accusations involve a transfer-posting racket with middlemen.
- The BJP claims their process is now transparent.
- Both parties are engaged in a war of words over credibility.
Bhopal, July 10 (NationPress) Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh and prominent Congress figure Kamal Nath fiercely criticized the BJP-led state administration on Thursday, alleging extensive irregularities in the recent transfers of more than 7,000 teachers.
Kamal Nath accused the government of orchestrating a transfer-posting scheme in partnership with middlemen and bureaucrats.
He claimed that only teachers who offered bribes were granted transfers, while many qualified applicants were overlooked.
“Out of over 45,000 teachers who sought voluntary transfers through the School Education Department's portal, merely 7,000 were sanctioned. This suggests that transfers were granted only to those willing to pay, leaving genuine candidates out,” Kamal Nath asserted, referencing media accounts.
These allegations pertain to a recent statewide teacher reassignment from primary to higher secondary schools, targeting those who had completed more than five years at a specific institution.
Kamal Nath further claimed that the state's online transfer mechanism, Education Portal 3.0, designed to promote transparency, has been compromised. He alleged that middlemen were acting as intermediaries, soliciting funds from teachers to sway their postings.
Currently, the district collector and the minister responsible for the district are pivotal in the transfer procedure. In the voluntary transfer framework, online applications are evaluated at the district level and authorized with the digital signature of the district education officer.
Ironically, the introduction of ministers into this process was initially aimed at curtailing irregularities and increasing transparency.
The BJP promptly dismissed these allegations. Ashish Agrawal, the Madhya Pradesh BJP media spokesperson, characterized Kamal Nath's assertions as politically charged.
“During Kamal Nath's 18-month term, the state secretariat, Vallabh Bhavan, became a hub for transfer activities. Now, under the BJP regime, transfers are conducted with transparency and undergo thorough verification,” Agrawal stated.
He further suggested that the Congress party, shaken by a series of electoral losses, was attempting to tarnish the ruling government's reputation.