JTA raises deputation quota, SSA teachers’ rights and pending appointments; seeks vigilance inquiry into recruitment

JTA raises deputation quota, SSA teachers’ rights and pending appointments; seeks vigilance inquiry into recruitment

51 members to observe a symbolic hunger strike on 1 November if demands remain unresolved

Chandigarh 7 October ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The Joint Teachers Association (JTA), Chandigarh, today held a press conference at the Press Club, Sector‑27, highlighting issues concerning teachers’ pay, regularisation, promotions, the Punjab and Haryana deputation quota, and the functioning of the Education Department. In its detailed representation addressed to the Hon’ble Administrator, UT Chandigarh, the Association sought time-bound action and impartial inquiries into the complaints raised. JTA President and Founder Ranbir Kumar said the Association works for the rights, equal opportunities and dignity of teachers across the relevant Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh cadres. The following demands were presented:

1. Restore the Punjab and Haryana deputation quota

JTA demanded retention of deputation from Punjab and Haryana in all relevant School Education cadres, with reference to the Ministry of Home Affairs Office Memorandum dated 4 November 1966 and the applicable Recruitment Rules. Ranbir Kumar stated that, following approval by the Chief Minister of Punjab, the Punjab Government submitted objections and suggestions on the proposed Recruitment Rules in June 2024. JTA alleged that the Education Department disregarded these submissions and proceeded at its own level. The Association demanded that the objections be placed before the competent authority and the High Powered Committee, that reasoned responses be provided, and that both states be consulted.

2. Implement Seventh Central Pay Commission basic pay for SSA teachers despite two Administrator’s D.O. letters

According to JTA, the Hon’ble Administrator issued two D.O. letters in June and July 2025 on the Association’s representations, but Seventh Central Pay Commission basic pay has still not been implemented for SSA teachers recruited in 2023. The Association stated that these posts were advertised in 2023 after the introduction of Central Service Rules in Chandigarh. It sought the necessary administrative and financial approvals, pay benefits and arrears from the legally admissible date, and a written explanation for the delay in acting on the two D.O. letters.

3. Act on the High Court judgment concerning SSA regularisation and release pending DA

JTA referred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court judgment dated 14 November 2025 in CWP‑20096‑2021, Arvind Rana and Others v. Union of India and Others, concerning regularisation of SSA teachers with more than ten years of service. The Association sought the necessary administrative and financial action, subject to operative orders in appellate proceedings, a time-bound lawful policy for the remaining SSA teachers, and payment of all admissible pending Dearness Allowance instalments and arrears.

4. Increase promotion and deputation opportunities in the proposed Recruitment Rules

According to JTA, the proposed Recruitment Rules are pending before the High Powered Committee constituted by the Hon’ble Administrator on 3 November 2025. The Association proposed the following distribution:

Cadre| JTA’s demand

JBT| 40% direct recruitment and 60% deputation from Punjab and Haryana

TGT| 35% promotion from eligible JBT teachers, 5% from eligible NTT teachers, 30% deputation and 30% direct recruitment

Lecturer/PGT| 55% promotion, 25% direct recruitment and 20% deputation

Principal| Retain 75% promotion and 25% deputation

JTA sought clear subject-specific educational qualifications, training and regular-service requirements, inclusion of eligible NTT teachers in the promotion feeder cadre, and timely Departmental Promotion Committee meetings. It also called for objective, uniformly applicable standards for JBT teachers’ teaching proficiency in Punjabi and Hindi.

5. Create 186 Lecturer posts and nine additional Principal posts

According to the Association’s available records, the proposal for creation of 186 Lecturer posts has remained pending since 2013. JTA sought disclosure of its current status and administrative and financial approval based on subject-wise workload, student strength and school requirements. It also demanded approval of nine additional Principal posts for newly established or upgraded senior secondary schools, to be filled under the applicable Recruitment Rules.

6. Ensure fair promotion opportunities for all eligible cadres, including Vocational Lecturers

JTA sought impartial DPC consideration for all eligible teachers, including Vocational Lecturers, who meet the prescribed feeder-cadre, qualification, seniority and service requirements. Where a promotion pathway is unavailable, the Association requested appropriate amendments to the Recruitment Rules after examining the cadre’s qualifications, work and responsibilities.

7. Conduct a detailed vigilance inquiry into the stoppage of regular appointments

JTA stated that the 2023–2024 regular recruitment exercises covered 993 posts: 396 JBT, 303 TGT, 98 PGT, 100 NTT and 96 Special Educator posts. The Association alleged that the appointment process had largely stalled since November 2025 despite vacancies against advertised posts and the availability of candidates on merit lists. It specifically sought examination of pending cases in the PGT English OBC category. JTA questioned the withholding of further appointments on the ground that a one-year recruitment period had expired. The Association’s contention is that the relevant DoPT instructions concern the validity of waiting/reserve lists after appointment offers are issued to candidates on the main selection list, and should not be treated as requiring the entire recruitment process to close within one year of advertisement. It sought examination of the applicable OM, its conditions and the correct commencement date of the validity period. JTA demanded a detailed vigilance inquiry with a representative of the Legal Remembrancer’s office to examine delays, pending scrutiny, category-wise vacancies, roster adjustments and responsibility for withholding appointments. It sought appropriate action where wrongdoing is established and appointments for eligible candidates, after scrutiny, in merit order against available advertised vacancies and subject to applicable court orders.

8. Act on the special audit of Khuda Alisher and Sarangpur schools

JTA alleged that guest teachers engaged on a period-based payment arrangement at Khuda Alisher and Sarangpur schools received full-month payments. According to the Association, the Finance Department ordered a special audit following an advocate’s complaint, and such payments were identified. The Association also raised concerns over two sets of timetables and six-period timetables reportedly sealed or preserved during the audit. It alleged that unnecessary teaching periods were shown to justify payments. JTA sought examination of the special audit report, original timetables, actual teaching workload, attendance and payment bills; assessment of unauthorised expenditure; and recovery and departmental action where irregularities are established. It also demanded disclosure of the rules, policy orders and financial approvals authorising guest-teacher engagement and full-month payments.

9. Impartially examine other complaints and review teacher deployment

JTA sought an impartial inquiry into its complaint concerning alleged coordinated efforts against Punjab deputationists, with an opportunity for all parties to be heard. It also demanded a review of teacher deployment at Government Middle School, Sector‑23‑D, based on student strength, subject-wise workload and sanctioned posts.

10. Hear authorised JTA office-bearers before finalising reports

Ranbir Kumar stated that authorised JTA office-bearers should be allowed to submit records, clarify facts and present written objections before any report on the representations is finalised or forwarded. The final report should record and address the Association’s submissions with reasons. JTA requested the Hon’ble Administrator to preserve relevant records, meet the Association’s representatives and provide a time-bound, point-wise action-taken report. Copies of the representation are also addressed to the Secretary, Education, and the Director, School Education, UT Chandigarh.

11. Symbolic hunger strike by 51 members on 1 November if demands remain unresolved

Ranbir Kumar announced that, if the demands remain unresolved, 51 JTA members will observe a peaceful symbolic hunger strike at the Rally Ground, Sector‑25, Chandigarh, on 1 November 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. He urged the Administration to take timely action and resolve the issues through dialogue with the Association’s representatives.