Why Did Calcutta HC Dismiss the Urgent Hearing on WBSSC Notification?
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Synopsis
The Calcutta High Court's refusal to expedite the hearing on the WBSSC notification raises important questions about recruitment fairness and criteria changes. As the state faces a teacher shortage following significant job cancellations, the implications of the court's decision could reshape the future of educational staffing in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
- The Calcutta High Court dismissed an urgent hearing on the WBSSC notification.
- 25,753 teaching jobs were annulled by the Supreme Court earlier this year.
- Changes in weightage criteria in the new notification are controversial.
- The court will review the matter again in July.
- New criteria may disadvantage fresher candidates.
Kolkata, June 9 (NationPress) A single-judge vacation bench of the Calcutta High Court declined to hold an urgent hearing regarding the petition that challenges the May 30 notification issued by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSCS) aimed at filling vacant teacher positions in state-run schools.
The vacancies arose after the Supreme Court annulled 25,753 teaching and non-teaching positions in April.
The petition contends that the new notification has introduced significant alterations to the recruitment criteria established in 2016. Previously, the entire panel from 2016 was annulled first by the Calcutta High Court last year, followed by the Supreme Court in April.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, the presiding judge, stated that there was no immediate need for an urgent hearing and suggested that the recruitment process should proceed as planned.
However, he noted that the court would revisit the matter if complications arise later. The case is set to be heard again in July, post summer vacation.
The main argument against the notification was the revision of weightage criteria in the scoring system compared to 2016.
According to the new notification published last week, the written examination for the new recruitment process will account for 60 marks, compared to 55 marks in the 2016 panel.
Additionally, the weightage for educational qualifications in the new process has been reduced to 10 from 35 in the 2016 panel.
Importantly, two new weightage criteria, each worth 10 marks, namely 'past teaching experience' and 'lecture demonstration', have been added to the new recruitment process.
The petition argued that these new criteria favor teachers from the 2016 panel, who lost their jobs, while putting fresher candidates at a disadvantage.
On April 3, the Supreme Court upheld a prior order from the Calcutta High Court that cancelled 25,753 school jobs in West Bengal.
The apex court acknowledged the Calcutta High Court's observation that the entire panel had to be annulled due to the state government's and the commission's inability to separate the “untainted” candidates from the “tainted” ones.
The state government and WBSSC have already submitted review petitions to the apex court regarding this issue.
Point of View
It is imperative to recognize the implications of the Calcutta High Court's decision. The dismissal of the urgent hearing on the WBSSC notification reflects the judiciary's stance on maintaining the recruitment process amidst controversy. This development highlights the ongoing challenges within the education sector in West Bengal and the need for a transparent and fair recruitment system.
NationPress
09/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recent decision by the Calcutta High Court regarding the WBSSC notification?
The Calcutta High Court denied an urgent hearing for a petition challenging the WBSSC's May 30 notification aimed at filling teacher vacancies.
Why were the teaching positions annulled?
The positions were annulled following a Supreme Court ruling that found issues with the previous recruitment process.
What changes were made in the new WBSSC notification?
The new notification altered weightage criteria for exams and introduced new criteria that favor some candidates over others.
When will the case be heard again?
The case is scheduled to be heard again in July after the summer vacation.
What are the implications of this court decision?
The court's decision may affect the recruitment process and the future of many teachers seeking employment in state-run schools.
