Vigilance probe sought into posting orders

Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, August 20 

Government teachers, under the banner of the Sarkari Sikhya Bachao Manch, opposing the recent transfer orders passed by the Education Department, have written a letter to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Education Secretary Krishan Kumar, demanding a vigilance inquiry into the matter.

Teachers said they had long been demanding reforms in the transfer policy. However, in July, 2,400 teachers were transferred without any prior intimation. Two weeks ago, 736 Elementary Teacher Training (ETT) were transferred and on Monday, 86 District Institute for Education and Training (DIET) teachers were shifted to schools.

Meanwhile, they alleged that the transfers were against the transfer policy 2018, and no applications by teachers were filed nor there was any information regarding the transfers on the portal.

Activist of the Manch, Nishant Kumar said, “No guidelines mentioned in the policy have been followed.” he alleged.

He added, “It is for the first time in Punjab that such bulk transfers, that too, without any prior notification, have taken place. The date used to be announced by the state government and all employees were given a chance to apply”.

The procedure of transfer is questionable this time, as it has been done discreetly. There are teachers, who travel for 100 to 80 km every day and needed transfers, but on the contrary, those in close relations with the higher officials have been aided by the department and were given transfers to their desired location, he further alleged.

Another member of the manch, Harjinderpal Singh Pannu said, “We demand vigilance enquiry by the state government. The policy had to be framed in a way that a deserving candidate gets the priority in transfers without anyone’s influence. So we want the CM to look into the matter”.