Kolkata, 14 June (H.S.) -

The West Bengal government has initiated the process of recruiting headmasters and teachers in state-run schools following the publication of a revised list of Other Backward Classes (OBC). Recruitment in these institutions had been stalled for a long time due to legal complications surrounding OBC reservations.

According to official sources, the state has directed the Public Service Commission (PSC) to issue recruitment notifications soon. The current plan includes appointments to 36 headmaster and 2 headmistress posts across 41 schools, with recruitment in remaining vacant posts to follow gradually.

Currently, there are 1,210 vacant posts in 149 government schools across the state. Many schools have been operating without headmasters or assistant teachers for key subjects. The recruitment process had been held up after the Calcutta High Court, on May 22, 2024, cancelled nearly 1.2 million OBC certificates issued in the state post-2010. The court ruled that none of these certificates would be valid for future use.

In response to the High Court order, the state conducted a district-wide survey led by district magistrates. The Backward Classes Welfare Commission, after analyzing the findings, prepared a revised list that was later approved by the state cabinet. The list now includes 140 communities, with 49 categorized under OBC-A (more backward) and 91 under OBC-B (backward).

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, during a recent address in the Assembly, reiterated that the revised OBC list is based on economic backwardness and has no religious considerations. The Development Commission has stated that surveys are still underway for communities like the Debang and Bharbhunja, and their inclusion will depend on the findings.

With the legal and administrative hurdles addressed, the government has also asked education authorities to resume the admission process in affected schools based on the new OBC categorization. Commission member Samirul Islam clarified that the revised list complies fully with legal norms and allows individuals to appeal or raise objections if needed.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh