Regularisation of Kashmiri migrant teachers: Delhi govt seeks UPSC nod

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has asked the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to look into a decision by its Cabinet giving nod for regularisation of Kashmiri migrant teachers, who fled their state and have been working in municipal and government schools on contractual basis for about 13 years.

A letter was written to UPSC, following the Delhi High Court's order to the government to take an expeditious decision on regularising Kashmiri migrant teachers.

A senior Delhi government official said that a copy of the communication to the UPSC was to be placed before the court on September 15.

However, the Bench did not assemble and it will be placed before the court on October 13, the next date of hearing, he said.

The Delhi government's Directorate of Education (DoE), on August 21, had sent a letter to the UPSC seeking relaxation in the provisions on age limit and method of recruitment.

The government told UPSC that since the Cabinet's decision on July 12, they have obtained the Lieutenant Governor's approval and want its concurrence.

An official in the Education department said in the letter that in compliance of the Cabinet's July 12 decision and LG's approval, he was sending a proposal to UPSC for its concurrence for one-time relaxation in recruitment rules for the posts of postgraduate teachers, trained graduate teacher, librarian and music teacher for appointment of Kashmiri migrant teachers working on contract basis.

The letter said that the relaxation sought was in the provisions relating to age limit and method of recruitment.

A bench of justices S Ravindra Bhat and Deepa Sharma had issued the direction after the Delhi government informed it that its Cabinet has approved regularisation of the migrant teachers, numbering around 180, and the assent of LG Anil Baijal was awaited.