West Bengal Minister Promises Segregated List of Valid and Problematic Candidates
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Synopsis
West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu has assured that a segregated list of genuine and tainted candidates will be published for those affected by a Supreme Court ruling, but only after receiving appropriate legal advice. The segregation process is set to conclude soon, with further discussions ongoing regarding the matter.
Key Takeaways
- Minister Bratya Basu confirms publication of segregated lists.
- Segregation process to be completed by April 13.
- Legal advice will dictate the publication of lists.
- Protests by affected staff to continue until job reinstatement.
- Supreme Court ruling cancels previous WBSSC appointments.
Kolkata, April 11 (NationPress) West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu assured the teaching and non-teaching staff who lost their positions in the state-run schools due to a recent Supreme Court ruling, stating that a segregated list of genuine and tainted candidates will be published based on proper legal guidance.
Following an extensive meeting lasting nearly four hours between the State Education Minister and a group of those affected, Minister Basu conveyed that legal professionals were being consulted, and the segregated lists might be released in accordance with their counsel.
During the meeting, WBSSC Chairman Siddhartha Majumdar informed attendees that the segregation process had commenced and should conclude by April 13. Plans are in place to publish the two distinct lists by April 21, contingent upon legal advice. However, it was noted that the original optical marks recognition sheets are unavailable. The Chairman asserted that if the original images had been preserved, CBI officers could have traced them. What remains are soft copies of these images, which may also be disclosed following legal guidance, a member of the delegation reported.
Despite the assurances, the affected individuals expressed that their concerns remain unresolved, and they will continue to protest until their jobs are reinstated.
Later, Minister Basu reiterated to the press that the state government agrees with the demand regarding the publication of the segregated list.
“The WBSSC possesses relevant details based on information from the CBI. The court has also been made aware. There is a call for public disclosure, which we do not oppose. However, all actions will adhere to legal advice,” he stated.
In the previous week, the Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar upheld a prior Calcutta High Court ruling that annulled a panel of 25,753 appointments made by the WBSSC. This decision was based on the failure of the state government and the commission to distinguish between genuine candidates and those deemed tainted who obtained jobs through monetary means.
Allegations have surfaced that segregation was unfeasible as the original OMR sheets were destroyed and the mirror images were not preserved, ostensibly to shield the tainted candidates who had secured jobs by illicit means.
