The long-standing demand for the regularisation of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) teachers in Tripura resurfaced on Tuesday after a special Lok Adalat failed to bring about a resolution to the dispute. Following the proceedings, the Tripura SSA Teachers Welfare Association urged the state government to withdraw its pending Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court and implement the Tripura High Court’s directives on regularising the services of SSA teachers.
The special Lok Adalat was convened in line with the Supreme Court’s direction to explore the possibility of an amicable settlement in the prolonged legal dispute. A large number of SSA teachers from different parts of the state attended the proceedings with hopes of reaching a positive outcome. Senior officials from the state Education and Finance departments also appeared before the Lok Adalat bench.
However, the talks ended without any breakthrough. Addressing reporters after the hearing, Tripura SSA Teachers Welfare Association president Sajal Deb expressed disappointment, alleging that the government representatives were unwilling to settle the matter.
“We came with the expectation that the issue would finally be resolved. Teachers from across the state participated in the Lok Adalat hoping for justice, but the government’s representatives refused to arrive at any settlement,” Deb said.
He pointed out that the Tripura High Court had twice ruled in favour of regularising the services of SSA teachers. According to Deb, instead of implementing the High Court’s directions, the state government challenged the verdict by filing a Special Leave Petition before the Supreme Court, where the matter is still pending.
The association said it had expected the government to use the Lok Adalat proceedings as an opportunity to end the prolonged legal battle through dialogue rather than continue litigation. Deb appealed to the government to withdraw the pending SLP and initiate the process of regularising the services of SSA teachers serving across the state.
The teachers’ body also reminded the ruling BJP of its commitment made before the 2018 Assembly elections. Deb noted that the party’s vision document had promised regularisation of SSA teachers if voted to power and urged the government to honour that assurance by taking concrete steps to resolve the issue without further delay.
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