The Calcutta High Court’s recent decision to annul all appointments made through the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government schools has sparked significant legal and administrative action. The Mamata Banerjee-led state government swiftly responded by appealing the ruling in the Supreme Court, contesting the High Court’s verdict.
The High Court’s judgment, delivered on April 23, not only revoked the appointments but also mandated that individuals hired through SLST return their salaries within six weeks. This decision affects a substantial number of candidates, as over 23 lakh individuals appeared for the 24,640 vacant positions covered by the SLST examination in 2016.
In addition to cancelling the appointments, the High Court ordered the initiation of a fresh recruitment process within fifteen days by the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC). Furthermore, it directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct further investigations into the appointment process, with a mandate to submit a report within three months. This underscores the seriousness of the allegations surrounding the recruitment process.
The backdrop to this legal saga includes allegations of irregularities and corruption. Former Education Minister Partha Chatterjee and several Trinamool Congress (TMC) officials, alongside numerous State Education Department personnel, are already under investigation and some are in custody. Both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI are actively probing the suspected misconduct in compliance with the Kolkata High Court’s directive.
The unfolding developments highlight the significance of transparent and lawful recruitment processes, particularly in crucial sectors such as education. As legal battles continue and investigations proceed, the outcome will not only impact the affected individuals but also underscore the commitment to upholding integrity and accountability in governance.
