Cuttack, Nov 30: Orissa high court quashed the May 13 govt order that had allowed MPs and MLAs to recommend transfer of school teachers within their constituencies.
Justice Dixit Krishna Shripad gave the ruling while disposing of 24 petitions filed by teachers who had challenged their transfers under the one-time transfer policy.
The court came down heavily on the government for issuing the 13.05.2025 letter without any statutory backing & added that the communication was merely an executive instruction issued by a joint secretary to the directors of secondary and elementary education, "Nothing has been stated in the said letter as to under what authority it has been issued, to claim legal efficacy."
Justice Shripad noted that the letter not only preceded formal transfer guidelines, but also opened the door to political interference & impugned letter of the kind, which provides for MPs/MLAs recommending transfer of teachers, has the potential of creating a seamless nexus between the political parties/candidates and the community of teachers.
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