Assam Government to regularize services of 1,576 primary school teachers

GUWAHATI: The Assam Government has decided to regularize the services of 1,576 primary school teachers. Services of these teachers were hanging in the balance for the last 20 years as they were in the category 'Excess of appointment'.

While addressing a press conference at the Janata Bhawan here on Tuesday, Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that there were legal hassles to regularize the services of these teachers. He said that in 2014, the State Government had engaged Divisional Commissioners to check all documents of the primary teachers who were appointed in excess to the vacant posts in the primary schools across the State. These teachers were appointed between 1991 and 2001.

Sarma further said that after verification of the documents, the government found that many of these teachers were receiving regular salaries and some of them even underwent trainings.

"Altogether 1,576 teachers had undergone trainings. Since trainings are now essential for the teaching profession. The State Government has decided to regularize the services of these teachers. On other hand, 2,960 teachers didn't undergo training. So we have decided to appoint 2,960 teachers as tutors," said the Education Minister.

Minister Sarma further said that the State Government has also decided to add Rs 500 to the monthly remuneration of all cooks and helpers working under the Mid-day Meal scheme. These cooks and helpers are now receiving Rs 1,000 as remuneration from the Centre. With addition of Rs 500 from the State Government, the Mid-day Meal workers will now receive Rs 1,500 per month. There are 1,18,998 Mid-day Meal workers in the State. The additional remuneration will be effective from April 1, 2020 and the arrear amounts will be deposited to bank accounts of mid-day meal workers before the Durga puja festival. Sarma also said that the move will cost Rs 60 crore annually to the State exchequer.

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