Government Faces Challenges Over Cabinet Approval for Additional School Positions: West Bengal BJP Chief (LD)

Kolkata, April 4 (NationPress) The Trinamool Congress and the West Bengal government are on the verge of significant complications as the Supreme Court is set to commence hearings concerning the CBI investigation into the Cabinet's resolution endorsing the establishment of supernumerary positions in schools.

The additional posts in schools were purportedly created to safeguard individuals who were illegally appointed in exchange for money.

In April 2024, a three-judge bench of the apex court, led by former Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, issued a stay on a prior order from the Calcutta High Court that mandated the CBI to conduct further inquiries into the approval for supernumerary positions.

In that ruling, the Calcutta High Court also indicated that the CBI could, if necessary, carry out custodial interrogations of those involved in the situation.

While the stay granted by the apex court in April 2024 provided temporary relief for the state Cabinet, the issue is scheduled for another hearing at the apex court on April 8.

“From April 8, another matter will be addressed in court. This involves the Cabinet's endorsement for the creation of supernumerary posts in schools, which the CBI investigation had previously been stayed by the apex court.

“I have complete faith in the Indian judicial framework. I am confident that the court will penalize those who have engaged in such vast corruption,” stated Dr Sukanta Majumdar, the BJP President in West Bengal and Union Minister of State, to reporters on Friday.

He asserted that it is unfathomable that a state Cabinet would approve the establishment of extra posts to safeguard the interests of individuals who secured jobs unlawfully through monetary transactions.

“If a state Cabinet can make such a decision, then the head of that Cabinet cannot evade responsibility. It is likely that Mamata Banerjee will become the second Chief Minister in the nation, after Om Prakash Chautala, who will face imprisonment due to an educational scam,” Majumdar added.

Indeed, the Calcutta High Court, during its earlier directive for the CBI investigation, also questioned the legitimacy of the decision to endorse the creation of supernumerary positions.

Since the emergence of this information, the state government and the ruling party have faced intense criticism from opposition factions, which argue that the decision was not intended to accommodate legitimate candidates but rather to secure the positions of those with questionable backgrounds.