Calcutta HC sets conditions for appointing teachers from Bengal's state-run schools for Census duty

Kolkata, Aug 21 (IANS) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday set a host of conditions for appointing teachers from the state-run schools in West Bengal for Census duty. The single-judge bench of Justice Krishna Rao has instructed the schools concerned in advance about the requirement of teachers for Census work. Justice Rao also said that the schools concerned will have to make arrangements for alternative teachers so that the normal academic session there is not hampered. However, Justice Rao added that once allotted the Census duty, the teachers concerned will have to report on-duty for that and perform the necessary Census-related assignment. At the same, Justice Rao said, the teachers engaged in Census duty should be treated and shown as "on-duty" during the entire period of time that they would be engaged in Census-related activities. Earlier, Justice Rao also made observations against the teachers being assigned the teaching and Census duties simultaneously. He had also said that at a time, either the teachers would be engaged in teaching duty or in Census duty. Justice Rao also suggested teacher's appointment for Census duty on rotational basis and if possible, on alternate days. He also raised questions on mass appointment of teachers from state-run schools for Census duty and advised the state government to selectively appoint teachers for Census duty. The teachers who approached the Calcutta High Court against their mass appointment for Census duty informed the court that while they were not against being parts of that assignment, their involvement should be administratively recognised as "on-duty" by the state administration, which the single-judge bench gave the judgment on Friday. Earlier, Justice Rao also raised the question whether the decision of the Census authorities to appoint teachers for the purpose was taken after consultation with the state government. Hearing in the matter was concluded on Thursday. However, then Justice Rao had kept the judgement on reserve, and pronounced it on Friday afternoon. --IANS src/khz