1,161 Hindi teachers moveHC over salary irregularities

Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench, has issued notice in a writ petition filed by 1,161 Hindi teachers appointed in government schools across Nagaland, alleging prolonged irregular payment of salaries and denial of equal treatment at par with other State employees.
Informing this in a statement, CSS Hindi Teacher convenor Sherinlo Keppen and secretary Ketoulhoulie Kuotsu, the matter was heard on February 20. After hearing advocates Rabindra Kumar Mitra, Sourjya Das and M. Solo, appearing for the petitioners, they said the court issued notice to the State government and Central government.
The petitioners stated that they were appointed in 2012 under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for promotion of Hindi in Nagaland. The Centre had sanctioned and funded the posts with 100% financial assistance till the end of plan period in 2017, after which the state government was required to assume full responsibility for their salaries, as per a memorandum issued by the Centre.
Following Cabinet approval in December 2011, they said the State created 1,379 posts of Hindi teachers and advertised on January 10, 2012. Appointments were made after a selection process comprising written tests and viva voce.
They contended that despite discharging their duties, their salaries were paid irregularly and often delayed by months. They alleged that though declared regular appointees and treated as in-service teachers for operational purposes, they were denied equal status and financial security. The matter is expected to be taken up after four weeks.