AGARTALA , May 7 (TIWN): In a massive blow to the Left Front government adopted employment policy, the division bench of High Court of Tripura today cancelled the appointment of 10,323 teachers in various categories.After a prolonged hearing, the division bench headed by Chief Justice Deepak Gupta passed the verdict on a writ petition challenging the revised employment policy of the state government. Under the employment policy, the government had appointed 10,323 teachers- 1100 PGTs, 4617 GTs and 4606 UGTs from 2010 to 2013.

In the 600-page verdict, the bench said all the appointment of teachers during the period should be cancelled to pave the way for fresh recruitment. However, the teachers inducted in the School Education department should stay in the service till 31.12.2014 so that normal functioning of schools doesn’t get halted due to shortage of teachers.

The bench also asked the government to initiate process to recruit teachers as per the prescribed guideline. The court also prescribed a guideline to be followed while choosing the candidate for teaching job.

While talking to media, Advocate Arun Kanti Bhowmik who move the in favour of the petitioners- Tanmoy Nath and 151 others in the case said the court while passing the judgment termed the selection was unfair and pick& choose policy.

Bhowmik said the court mandated that only twelve standard pass-out candidate having bagged 50 percent mark should be a key condition while getting selection in the UGT level teacher.

Advocate general BC Das, however, denied to comment on the today’s judgment when contacted. There are speculations the state government could knock the door of apex court challenging the today’s verdict.