NEW DELHI, March 5? Even as teachers in Assam continue to wait for their salaries, the Ministry of Human Resources Development (HRD) is crying foul over the appointments and has asked Assam Government to confirm whether they wished to continue the services of the teachers appointed under Operation Black Board (OBB). For the agitating teachers appointed under OBB uncertainty is likely to continue, as HRD Ministry has taken serious note of the manner of their appointments.
In a official communication sent by Education Officer, V D Gaur in the department of Elementary Education and Literacy to P Dutta, Commissioner & Secretary Education, he has said that terms and conditions of appointment of teachers under OBB in middle school are not in accordance with the guidelines of the scheme. According to the appointment orders of new teachers so appointed under the scheme, their tenure is slated to expire on March 31. Under the scheme, the officer has pointed out, new posts are created against the sanctioned posts. Salaries are covered for all the new created posts for salary payment for the plan period in which appointments are made. Thereafter, the liability of salary component is transferred to State.
The HRD Ministry has now asked Assam Government to confirm whether these posts will be continued after termination of Ninth Plan and the State Government would take over the liability of these teachers according to the guidelines of the scheme. According to sources, Assam Government has been reluctant to claim the balance of the funds due from the Centre apprehensive of the salary burden that will fall on it. Some 10,000 teachers are estimated to have been appointed under the OBB during the duration of the Ninth Plan period.