West Bengal: SSC publishes list of 183 ineligible candidates appointed as school teachers on its website

The West Bengal Central School Service Commission has published a list of 183 candidates who did not qualify in the 2016 examination but were still on the merit list and were appointed in educational institutions on its website.

According to a statement issued by the commission on Thursday, the notice for publication “of 183 incorrectly recommended candidates in connection with the 1st State Level Selection Test 2016 for the posts of Assistant Teachers for classes 9 and 10 published in compliance with the order of Hon’ble Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, High Court, Calcutta.”

West Bengal Central SSC officials were not available for comment on the move.

The SSC’s action came in response to Calcutta High Court Judge Abhijit Ganguly’s recent shock at reports of ineligible candidates working in state-run and state-aided schools.

The BJP and CPI(M) attacked the state government, claiming that this is just the tip of the iceberg and that skeletons are already tumbling out of the cupboard.

According to BJP leader Rahul Sinha, “the SSC action demonstrates the extent of corruption in school job recruitment in recent years.” The state agency, which reports to the Education Department, has set a record by admitting to having officially appointed 183 ineligible candidates who are currently working in schools. The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be brought to justice.” Sujan Chakraborty of the CPI(M) central committee said, “By its act, the SSC admits that it illegally appointed 183 candidates who failed the test.” The true figure is much higher. This, I believe, is the biggest scam in recent times in India that directly affects the common man.” In response to their allegations, TMC state spokesperson Kunal Ghosh stated that the SSC is working in a transparent manner and that any irregularities are being addressed. He stated that this is an administrative matter and that the party has no further comment.

“We want all qualified candidates to be recruited, and those who have committed any malpractices should be punished; the party has nothing to do with them,” said the TMC state general secretary.

Former Education Minister and TMC leader Partha Chatterjee, former SSC Chairman Subiresh Bhattacharya, and former SSC Advisor Santiprasad Sinha have been arrested in connection with the teaching job recruitment scam in government-run or aided schools.