Bombay HC questions education dept as teachers allege coercion

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the state education department to respond to the allegations of teachers that they were being coerced into opting for the Palghar district even though they were teaching in schools that fell under the jurisdiction of Thane district. The teachers informed the court that after they had opted for Thane, the government started the second round wherein they were shown as opted for Palghar district, hence the petition was filed.

The vacation bench of justice V.L. Achliya was hearing the writ petition filed by Swabhimaan Shikshak Sanghatana against the decision of the education department to segregate them based on the district they were working in after the Thane district was bifurcated into two namely Thane and Palghar district.

The teachers’ though senior advocate Suresh Pakale had averred that based on a government resolution in March 2016, they had filled an option form which asked teachers to fill up their preference of district they would like to remain in. The teachers said that in the first form they had opted for Thane. However, the state issued a second GR in August wherein many were shown to have opted for Palghar.

The additional government pleader informed  that after Thane district had been bifurcated for the sake of better administration, teachers from schools in the respective districts had been asked to fill the option forms.

After hearing the arguments the court said that the issue raised by teachers deserved consideration and hence asked the state, education department to respond by May 23.