Showing posts with label Allahabad Highcourt. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Allahabad Highcourt. Show all posts

Saturday, March 8, 2025

NTT Course is Not Equivalent to BTC, So NTT qualified is not eligible for Primary Teacher Post - Allahabad HighCourt

NTT Course is Not Equivalent to BTC, So NTT qualified is not eligible for Primary Teacher Post - Allahabad HighCourt

Allahabad High Court

Smt.Mala Yadav And 10 Others vs State Of U.P.And 4 Others on 16 February, 2024

Author: Saurabh Shyam Shamshery

Bench: Saurabh Shyam Shamshery

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD

AFR

Reserved- 06/02/2024

Delivered- 16/02/2024

2024:AHC:26366

Court No. - 36

(1) Case :- WRIT - A No. - 40447 of 2014

Petitioner :- Smt.Mala Yadav And 10 Others

Respondent :- State Of U.P.And 4 Others

Counsel for Petitioner :- Ajay Kumar Mishra,Abhishek Kumar Yadav,Ashok Khare,Chandan Sharma,Prabhakar Awasthi,V.K. Yadav

Counsel for Respondent :- C.S.C.,A.K.Yadav,Archana Singh,B.P. Singh,Vikram Bahadur Singh

Hon'ble Saurabh Shyam Shamshery,J.

1. Petitioners before this Court have passed Certificate in Nursery Training Examination-2013 (for short "Nursery Training Certificate") conducted by Examination Regulatory Authority, Uttar Pradesh (for short "Authority") and their respective certificates are part of record.

2. Petitioners have also passed Uttar Pradesh Teachers Eligibility Test, 2013 (for short "TET") and thereafter participated in counselling for appointment of Assistant Teachers but they were not appointed purportedly on a ground that they have not possessed essential qualification in terms of notification/advertisement dated 17.10.2013 i.e. they have not qualified 2 years BTC Course/2 years Urdu BTC Course or Special BTC Course and that "Nursery Training Certificate" would not be equivalent to said essential qualification. For reference, Vigyapti/Advertisement for district Barabanki dated 17.10.2013 is mentioned below -:

"विज्ञप्ति कार्यालय जिला बेसिक शिक्षा अधिकारी जनपद बाराबंकी पत्रांक दिनांक जनपद बाराबंकी में उत्तर प्रदेश बेसिक शिक्षा परिषद् द्वारा संचालित परिषदीय प्राथमिक विद्यालयों में शासनादेश संख्या-3635/79-5-2013-14(10) दिनांक 25 सितम्बर 2013 एवं शासनादेश संख्या - 3774/79-5-2013-14(10)/10 दिनांक 15 अक्टूबर 2013 के अनुक्रम में सहायक अध्यापकों के रिक्त पदों के सापेक्ष द्विवर्षीय बी.टी.सी., द्विवर्षीय उर्दू बी.टी.सी. एवं विशिष्ट बी.टी.सी. प्रशिक्षण प्राप्त तथा उत्तर प्रदेश राज्य अथवा केन्द्र सरकार द्वारा आयोजित अध्यापक पात्रता परीक्षा उत्तीर्ण अभ्यर्थियों से कुल 100 रिक्त पदों पर नियुक्ति हेतु ऑनलाइन ई-आवेदन पत्र आमंत्रित किये जाते है। ऑनलाइन ई-आवेदन पत्र का प्रारूप आपरेशनल दिशा निर्देश एवं जनपदवार रिक्तियों का विवरण वेबसाइट http://upbasiceduparishad.gov.in/ पर दिनांक 17.10.2018 से दिनांक 13.11.2013 की रात्रि 12 बजे तक उपलब्ध रहेगा। परिषदीय प्राथमिक विद्यालयों में सहायक अध्यापक के पदों पर चयन/नियुक्ति अध्यापक सेवा नियमावली 1981(अद्यतन तथा संशोधित) तथा विद्यालयों मेंं अध्यापक तैनाती नियमावली 2008 (अद्यतन तथा संशोधित) के अनुसार की जायेगी। परिषदीय प्राथमिक विद्यालयों में सहायक अध्यापक पद पर इच्छुक अर्ह अभ्यर्थियों द्वारा सर्वप्रथम निर्दिष्ट वेबसाइट पर निर्धारित प्रक्रियानुसार रजिस्ट्रेशन कर वांछित प्रविष्टियों को पूर्ण करना होगा। रजिस्ट्रेशन के उपरान्त ई-चालान से किसी भी जनपद के किसी भी भारतीय स्टेट बैंक की शाखा में सचिव उ.प्र. बेसिक शिक्षा परिषद के नाम पर निर्धारित शुल्क जमा कर ई-चालान आई.डी/जर्नल (Journal) नम्बर प्राप्त करना होगा इसके अतिरिक्त अभ्यर्थी सभी बैंको के ATM Cum Debit cards/Credit Cards तथा SBI Internet Banking द्वारा भी आवेदन शुल्क का भुगतान कर सकते है। ई-चालान आई-डी/जर्नल (Journal) नम्बर प्राप्त करने के दो बैंकिग कार्यदिवस के पश्चात पुनः निर्दिष्ट वेबसाइट पर बैंक द्वारा प्राप्त ई-चालान आई-डी/जर्नल (Journal) नम्बर से आवेदन पत्र को पूर्ण करना अनिवार्य होगा अभ्यर्थी द्वारा काउन्सिलिंग के समय रजिस्ट्रेशन, ई-चालान रसीद तथा फोटो अपलोड़ करने के बाद भरे गये आवेदन का प्रिन्ट आउट प्रस्तुत करना भी आवश्यक होगा।
जिला बेसिक शिक्षा अधिकारी जनपद बाराबंकी"

3. Essentially, case of the petitioners is that Nursery Training Certificate is equivalent to Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatsoever name known) in terms of notification dated 23.08.2010 issued by National Council for Teachers Education (fort short "NCTE") as such it would be equivalent to BTC Course.

4. It is further case of the petitioners that after enforcement of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (for short "Act of 2009") and thereafter enforcement of Uttar Pradesh Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Rules, 2011 (for short "Rules of 2011"), and whereby subsequent to notification issued by NCTE (competent authority) which provided minimum qualification for appointment of Assistant Teacher in primary school and promotion of Assistant Teacher in State of UP have to be in terms of Notification dated 23.08.2010 and amended Notification dated 29.07.2011 issued by NCTE.

5. Sri Ashok Khare, Senior Advocate assisted by S/Sri Himanshu Singh, Prabhakar Awasthi and Ajay Kumar Mishra, learned counsel for the petitioners has vehemently referred and placed reliance upon notification dated 23.08.2010 issued by NCTE that minimum qualification for teachers of class I to V is Senior Secondary or its equivalent with at least 50% marks and two years Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatsoever name known) and that since the petitioners have Nursery Training Certificates which is equivalent to Diploma in Elementary Education though known by said terminology and is also equivalent to Basic Training Certificate i.e. BTC, therefore, they possessed minimum eligibility.

6. Learned Senior Advocate also urged that minimum qualification prescribed in terms of aforesaid notification dated 23.08.2010 has not been completely followed by respondents and despite petitioners were duly eligible having minimum educational qualification were wrongly denied from their appointment despite they participated in counselling and they would have definitely in merit list if their result were declared.

7. In support of his submissions, learned Senior Advocate has placed reliance upon a judgment of Division Bench of this Court in Special Appeal (D) No. 130 of 2014 (Harsh Kumar and another vs. State of U.P. and others) passed on 05.02.2014 and relevant paragraphs thereof are mentioned below -:

"8. On 23 August 2010, the NCTE prescribed the minimum qualifications for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher for Classes I to VIII in a school referred to in Section 2 (n) of the Act of 2009 with effect from the date of notification. This notification was amended by the notification dated 29 July 2011. As per the amended notification, the minimum qualifications which have been prescribed for appointment of an Assistant Teacher for teaching students from Classes I to V are now as follows:

"(i) Classes I-V.
(a) Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known) OR Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 45% marks and 2-year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known), in accordance with the NCTE (Recognition Norms and Procedure) Regulations, 2002 OR Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 4-year Bachelor of Elementary Education (B.El.Ed.) OR Senior Secondary (or its equivalent) with at least 50% marks and 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education) OR Graduate and two year Diploma in Elementary Education (by whatever name known) AND
(b) Pass in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), to be conducted by the appropriate Government in accordance with the Guidelines framed by the NCTE for the purpose."

9. At this stage, it may also be necessary to note that the Parliament enacted the National Council for Teacher Education (Amendment) Act, 2011 to provide that the Act shall apply, inter-alia, to schools imparting pre-primary, primary, upper primary, secondary or senior secondary education and to colleges providing senior secondary or intermediate education and to teachers of such schools and colleges. Similarly, the expression 'school' was defined in Section 2(ka) to mean any recognised school imparting pre-primary, primary, upper primary, secondary or senior secondary education, or a college imparting senior secondary education. Section 12A was inserted into the principal legislation to empower the NCTE to determine the qualifications of persons to be recruited as teachers in any pre-primary, primary, upper primary, secondary, senior secondary or intermediate school or college, by whatever name called, established, run, aided or recognised by the Central Government or by a State Government or a local or other authority. The provisions of the Act and Regulations have been held to be binding by a Full Bench of this Court in Shiv Kumar Sharma (supra). Prior to the enforcement of the amending Act, the Supreme Court had referred for consideration by a larger Bench of three Hon'ble Judges, an earlier view taken in Basic Education Board, U.P. Vs. Upendra Rai & Ors.2 in which it had been held that the NCTE Act does not deal with ordinary educational institutions like primary schools, high schools, intermediate colleges or universities and would, consequently, not override the U.P. Basic Education Act and the Rules made thereunder. In view of the amending Act, a Bench of three learned Judges of the Supreme Court, while deciding the reference on the correctness of the view in Upendra Rai (supra), observed that during the pendency of the appeals, the Amending Act had rendered the issues for consideration referred to the larger Bench as academic. These developments have been taken due note of in a recent judgment of a Full Bench of this Court in Ram Surat Yadav & Ors. Vs. State of U.P. & Ors.3

10. Thus, the point to be noted is that after the enforcement of the Act of 2009 and the issuance of the notification of 23 August 2010, the qualifications which have been prescribed for appointment of primary teachers must necessarily be those that are stipulated in the notification dated 23 August 2010, as amended by the notification dated 27 August 2011.

11. Undoubtedly, the Rules of 1981 do prescribe the essential qualification for appointment of Assistant Teachers in Junior Basic Schools where education is imparted from Classes I to V. The relevant qualifications which are prescribed in Rule 8 are as follows:

"(ii) Assistant Master and Assistant Mistress of Junior Basic School A Bachelor's Degree from a University established by law in India or a Degree recognised by the Government as equivalent thereto together with the training qualification consisting of a Basic Teacher's Certificate, Vishist Basic Teachers Certificate (B.T.C.) two years BTC Urdu Special Training Course, Hindustani Teacher's Certificate, Junior Teacher's Certificate, Certificate of Teaching or any other training training course recognised by the Government as equivalent there:
Provided that the essential qualification for a candidate who has passed the required training course shall be the same which was prescribed for admission to the said training course."

12. The qualifications, which have been prescribed by the NCTE in the notification dated 29 July 2011 include Senior Secondary with at least 50% marks together with a 2-year Diploma in Education (Special Education). Once, these qualifications have been prescribed by the NCTE, this would necessarily be binding and it is not open to the State Government to exclude (from the zone of eligibility) the persons who are otherwise qualified in terms of the notification dated 23 August 2010 as amended on 29 July 2011.

13. In this view of the matter, we are of the opinion that the learned Single Judge was in error in coming to the conclusion that since the recruitment was in pursuance of a special drive, the Government was justified in confining the eligibility qualifications only to those who held the BTC qualifications for the reason that such candidates could not be adjusted earlier for want of TET qualification. The passing of the TET was introduced as a mandatory requirement by the notification dated 23 August 2010 issued by the NCTE. Persons who did not fulfill the eligibility conditions prescribed in the notification dated 23 August 2010, as amended on 29 July 2011, were not qualified for consideration for appointment as primary school teachers. Hence, there was no occasion for the State to contend or for that matter the learned Single Judge to accept the submission that in order to adjust such BTC qualified candidates, the present advertisement had been issued. The learned Single Judge held that the appellants could not claim equivalence with those candidates who possess BTC qualification. This, in our view, begs the question because once the Diploma in Education (Special Education) is held to be a qualification which is recognised for appointment of Assistant Teachers for teaching Classes I to V, it would be impermissible for the State Government to exclude them from being considered for appointment. In a special drive or otherwise, it is not open to the State Government to exclude one class of teachers who fulfill the qualifications for eligibility prescribed by the NCTE. Any such action would be impermissible for the simple reason that the exclusive power to prescribe eligibility qualifications for such teachers is vested in the NCTE. Once the NCTE has spoken on the subject, as it has through its notification, those qualifications must govern the eligibility requirement. Jurisdiction and power of the NCTE to do so is now settled beyond any doubt, as noted by the Supreme Court.

14. In the circumstances, the special appeals would have to be allowed and are, accordingly, allowed. The impugned judgment and order of the learned Single Judge dated 14 November 2013 is set aside. A mandamus would, accordingly, issue directing the State to permit the appellants and such other persons who claim to be holding the qualifications which are within the purview of the notification issued by the NCTE on 23 August 2010, as amended on 29 July 2011, to apply for the post of Assistant Teachers for Classes I to V which was the subject matter of the advertisement in question.

15. Since the Court is informed that the process of counseling is still to commence, we direct the State Government to act in accordance with the aforesaid direction in processing and completing the selection process.

16. We clarify that the issue as to whether the appellants hold the qualifications strictly in accordance with the notification issued by the NCTE has not been decided by us since that is a matter of verification by the authority concerned."

[emphasis supplied]

8. Learned Senior Advocate also submitted that above referred mandamus was not honoured and despite petitioners' case was squarely covered with above referred judgment in Harsh Kumar (supra), still they were not selected.

9. In present bunch of cases, an interim order was passed on 25.09.2024 that result of petitioners be declared and in case their aggregate was above the cut off merit, appointment letters be issued to them. The interim order was challenged by the State in Special Appeal (D) No. 356 of 2015. The Division Bench of this Court allowed the Special Appeal by a judgment dated 01.02.2019. Relevant part thereof is quoted below -:

"The Division Bench in the case of U.P. Basic Shiksha Parishad (supra) had clearly distinguished between NTT Diploma which is only eligible for pre-school teaching and maximum upto Class 1 and 2 and does not cover Junior Basic School in which education is imparted for Class 1 to 5. The said Teachers Certificate (Shishu Shiksha), which is equivalent to NTT and this diploma at best can be for teaching in preschools education and not for Junior Basic Schools, which is imparting education from Class 1 to 5.
In view of the above, the learned Single Judge erred in directing the respondents-appellants to declare the result of the petitioners-respondents and issue appointment letters on the basis of the judgment of Harsh Kumar (supra) and Uma Yadav (supra) as both the Division Benches had only held that the minimum prescribed qualification for appointment of Assistant Teachers shall be, as per the notification of NCTE dated 23.8.2010 as amended on 29.7.2011 and have no where dealt the issue in regard to the present Teachers Certificate (Shishu Shiksha) or Nursery Teachers Training (NTT). It was only in the case of U.P. Basic Shikha Parishad that the issue was dealt in depth and both the aforesaid Division Bench judgments were also taken note off.
Further, in view of the judgment of this Court in the case of Ashok Kumar Bajpai (supra), Hind Lamps Ltd.(supra) and State of U.P. and others (supra), we are of the view that no final relief can be granted at the interim stage, unless and until the Court is satisfied that ultimately the petitioner is bound to succeed and fact situation warrants granting such a relief. In the present case, as one of the Division Bench had taken a view that diploma in NTT is not equivalent to BTC as such, the relief granted would amounts to final relief and in the facts of the case the situation does not warrant for passing of such order at the interim stage.
Hence the order passed by the learned Single Judge dated 25.9.2014 is set aside, and the Special Appeal is allowed leaving it open for the learned Single Judge to decide the matter on its own merits after the exchange of affidavits and also considering the subsequent Division Bench Judgment in the case of U.P. Basic Shiksha Parishad (supra)."

[emphasis supplied]

10. Per contra, Ms. Archana Singh, learned counsel for the respondent, Sri Shivendra Singh Bhadauriya, learned counsel for the respondent no. 5 and Sri R.N. Pandey, Sri Shashi Prakash Singh, learned Additional Chief Standing Counsel, Sri Ashish Kumar Nagvanshi, Sri Ravi Prakash Srivastava, Ms. Shruti Malviya and Sri Survesh Srivastava, learned Standing Counsel for the State respondents have submitted that petitioners' act were not bonafide. In online form, it was declared that they have passed BTC course and filled imaginary maximum number and imaginary number they got, knowingly they have never passed BTC. Learned counsel for respondents have referred copy of forms submitted by petitioners online, being part of a supplementary counter affidavit filed on 24.05.2019 and they have submitted that petitioners have played fraud.

11. Learned counsel further urged that Nursery Training Certificate was only for nursery teachers i.e. for pre-school and maximum upto Class I and II which could not be equivalent to teaching skill required for students of class I to V.

12. Learned counsel further placed reliance on a judgment passed by Division Bench of this Court in Uttar Pradesh Basic Shiksha Parishad vs. Sakshi Shukla and others (Special Appeal N. 915 of 2015, decided on 07.04.2016) wherein a subsequent notification dated 12th November, 2014 issued by NCTE was also consideration that whether Diploma in Nursery Teacher Education was one of minimum qualifications for Pre-school/nursery followed by first two years in a formal school and whether it was not included in minimum qualification for primary and upper primary (for class I to VIII). Relevant part of judgment is mentioned hereinafter -:

"N.C.T.E. was not at all a party before the learned Single Judge and the learned Single Judge on this bona fide belief that the issue raised is squarely covered by the law laid down in the case of Uma Yadav (supra), proceeded to allow the writ petition and in view of this, as we had no other option, we asked for assistance of N.C.T.E. before us and N.C.T.E. has come up with the specific stand that the course in question that has been pursued by petitioners-respondents from Dau Dayal Mahila P.G. College, Firozabad, which was recognised on 30th April, 2004, has been as per Appendix-4 of Regulation 2002 known as Norms and Standards for Nursery Teacher Education Programme (form of Application for recognition, the time limit of submission of application, Determination of Norms and Standards for Recognition of Teachers Education Programme and permission to start new course of training), Regulation 2002 and N.T.T. course is basically meant for children in the age group of 4-6 followed by first 2 years in a formal education i.e. of children in the age group of 6-8 years as mentioned in Appendix-4 of Regulations, 2002.
N.T.T. course is not recognized under Appendix I or II of N.C.T.E. Recognition (Norms and Procedure) Regulation 2009 as Appendix-I of Regulation 2009 is only meant for Early Childhood Education Programme leading to Diploma in Early Childhood Education (D.E.C.Ed.). Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.) includes Class I and II of the Primary Education and same is of crucial importance from the point of view and perspective of the development of child's language, intelligence and personality. Elementary Teacher Education Programme aims at preparing teachers for elementary stage of education i.e. Classes I to VI/VIII and in Recognition (Norms and Procedure) Regulation 2009, Appendix-I has subsumed Pre-School Teacher Education Programme (P.T.T.) and Nursery Teacher Training Programme (N.T.T.) both i.e. Appendix-3 and 4 of Recognition (Norms and Procedure) Regulation 2002 and said nomenclature has been changed to Diploma in Early Childhood Education (D.E.C.Ed.) as Appendix-1 and N.T.T. course of 2 years duration in Dau Dayal P.G. Mahila College was granted Recognition under appendix-4 of the Regulation 2002 and not at all under the Regulations of 2009.
N.T.T. Course as mentioned in the Government Order dated 30.06.2010 is not at all recognized under the Appendix-1 or 2 of the Regulations 2009 and N.T.T. Course is recognized as per Appendix-4 of the Regulation 2002. Petitioners-opposite party have completed two years course of Nursery Teacher Training from Dau Dayal Mahila (P.G.) College, Firozabad, after they have applied for persuing said Course pursuant to Government Order dated 30.06.2010, wherein categorical mention has been made that in reference of Nursery Teacher Training, Nursery School means where children upto the age of 6 years and below Class I are being imparted instructions. Petitioners-opposite party right from day one knew fully well the nature of course that was pursued by them and the said course/training was designed to impart instructions child below six years of age and to classes below 1st standard. Basic Shiksha Parishad in the State of U.P. does not accord recognition to any Nursery School to run additionally Class 1 and 2. There are three category of institutions (1) Nursery School (ii) Junior Basic School (iii) Senior Basic School. Petitioners-opposite parties can be at the best appointed in Nursery School but they cannot be appointed in Junior Basic School/Senior Basic School.
Once such is the specific stand of N.C.T.E., then we cannot arrive to a conclusion that petitioners-opposite parties, who have proceeded to pursue N.T.T. course from Dau Dayal Mahila P.G. College Firozabad that has received recognition on 13th April, 2004 as per Appendix-4 of Regulation, 2002, can be said to be equipped with the facilities of imparting instructions qua teachers eligible to teach Class I to V. Once N.T.T. Course as per the petitioners-opposite parties is designed for children in the age group of 4-6 followed by first 2 years in the formal school i.e. of children in the age group of 6-8 years, then the said course in question cannot be carried forward even to the students of Class III to V as it would be going beyond the N.T.T. course that has been designed.
Much emphasis has been laid on the fact that petitioner-opposite parties have cleared Teacher Eligibility Test meant for class 1 to 5 and in view of this, there exclusion in selection on its face value is arbitrary.
We may at this juncture, refer to a Full Bench judgement of our Court in the case of Shiv Kumar Sharma vs. State of U.P. 2013 (6) ADJ 310, wherein view has been taken that teacher eligibility test is an essential qualification that has to be possessed by every candidate who seeks appointment as a teacher of elementary education in Class 1 to 5 as per the notification dated 23.08.2010. Academic Authorities are empowered to fix minimum qualification which is inclusive of Teacher Eligibility Test, and Teacher Eligibility Test has to be passed in addition to the educational/training qualification. Merely because one has undertaken Teacher Eligibility Test, does not mean that he/she fulfils educational/training qualification also.
Consequently, in the facts of the case, the Basic Shiksha Parishad is right at the point of time when it submits that learned Single Judge has erred in giving directions by blindly following the judgement in the case of Uma Yadav (supra) and Harsh Kumar (supra) and in view of this, Special Appeal is allowed. Judgement of learned Single Judge is set aside. Petitioner-opposite parties have received training N.T.T. from an institution entitled to impart training for childhood in the age group of 4-6 followed by two years in formal school, are not eligible to teach class 1 to 5, in Institutions run and managed by Basic Shiksha Parishad."

[emphasis supplied]

13. Learned Senior Advocate for petitioners has responded to above submission that U.P. Basic Shiksha Parishad (supra) was in regard to private institutions. He has referred documents annexed with supplementary affidavit and referred following paragraphs of it -:

"(a) Although as mentioned above, the training holders of C.T. (Nursery) have always been appointed in the Nursery Schools as well as in Primary Schools run by the Board and accordingly, it was specifically clarified by the then Secretary of the Board on 04.01.1986. Similarly, through other circulars of the Board Issued on 12.3.2002, 4.3.2003, 17.3.2004, 4.1.2007 and 12.6.2008 by the respective Secretaries posted time to time along with Directorate, S.C.E.R.T., U.P., Lucknow and also by the State Govt. through government order dated 09.01.2009. The copies of the initial Rules of 1981 enforced on 03.01.1981 and the Rules of 1981 after incorporation of the 19th Amendment dated 30.05.2014 shall be placed at the time of arguments. However, the copies of the said circulars of Board dt: 4-1-1986 12.3.2002, 4.3.2003, 17.3.2004, 4.1.2007 and 12.6.2008 and the government order dated 09.01.2009 are being jointly annexed herewith as Annexure no.3 to this Affidavit.
(b) It is also respectfully submitted that through the said government order dated 09.01.2009, the teachers having C.T. training qualification had also been made eligible for their promotion as L.T. Grade teacher after having attained experience of 5 years (as C.T. grade has become Dying Cadre) in the Intermediate colleges.
(c) It is also respectfully submitted that an advertisement made by the Basic Shiksha Adhikari, Allahabad on 11.10.2002 mentioning C.T. training qualification as an eligibility qualification and thereafter, appointments of respective candidates were also made. Similarly, the appointment of C.T. training holders was also made in District Shahjahanpur and Allahabad on the instructions of the Secretary, Board. The coples of the advertisement dated 11.10.2002, the instruction of the Secretary, Board dated 11.11.2002 and the appointment order issued pursuant thereto on 29.11.2002 are being jointly annexed herewith and marked as Annexure no.4 to this Affidavit.
(d) The Right of Education was made fundamental right to the children at the age of 6 to 14 years under Article 21-A of the Constitution of India and for enforcement thereof, the R.T.E. Act, 2009 (Act no.35 of 2009) was made, which was enforced on 26.08.2009; and in view thereof, the T.Ε.Τ./C.T.E.T. was prescribed as a minimum qualification and the Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed.)(by whatever name known) as an eligibility qualification for the appointment as a teacher from Class-I to V by the N.C.T.E. through their notifications dated 23.08.2010 and 29.07.2011, which have also been accepted by the State Government through U.P.R.T.E. Rules, 2011 enforced on 27.07.2011. In the said Act, Rules or notifications of the N.C.T.E., it has nowhere been stated that C.T. training holders are not eligible for appointment. A such, in view thereof, even after enforcement of the R.T.E. Act, 2009, the appointments of C.T. training holders have been made in different districts on different dates by the respective Basic Shiksha Adhikaris of the State. The copies of the direction issued by the Secretary, Board dated 31.07.2009, appointment letter dated 14.09.2009 issued by the Basic Shiksha Adhikari, Mirzapur and the another appointment letter dated 25.11.2009 issued by the Basic Shiksha Adhikari, Varanasi are being jointly annexed herewith and marked as Annexure no.5 to this Affidavit."

14. Heard learned counsel for parties and perused the record.

15. The issue before this Court for consideration is that whether "Nursery Training Certificate" is equivalent to "Diploma in Elementary Education" (by whatsoever name known) (as mentioned in NCTE notification dated 23.08.2010 as amended on 29.07.2011) and subsequent notification dated 12.09.2014 and whether it is also equivalent to "Basic Teachers Training Certificate" for purpose of minimum qualification for post of Assistant Teacher in primary school (class I to V) run by Basic Education Board?

16. The crux of argument of petitioners is that once NCTE, the appropriate Authority under National Council for Teachers Education (Amendment) Act, 2011, by a notification has provided minimum qualification in terms of Act of 2009, the same will govern irrespective of any minimum qualification prescribed for appointment on post of Assistant Teacher by of any State.

17. In order to substantiate argument, learned Senior Advocate has referred various provisions of above referred Act, Rules and Circulars which do not require to elaborate since they have been considered by Division Bench of this Court in Harsh Kumar (supra), a judgment relied upon by petitioner.

18. Relevant part of Harsh Kumar (supra) has already been quoted in earlier part of this judgment and for disposal of this judgment, a general mandamus issued in Harsh Kumar (supra) is repeated hereinafter -:

"14. In the circumstances, the special appeals would have to be allowed and are, accordingly, allowed. The impugned judgment and order of the learned Single Judge dated 14 November 2013 is set aside. A mandamus would, accordingly, issue directing the State to permit the appellants and such other persons who claim to be holding the qualifications which are within the purview of the notification issued by the NCTE on 23 August 2010, as amended on 29 July 2011, to apply for the post of Assistant Teachers for Classes I to V which was the subject matter of the advertisement in question.
15. Since the Court is informed that the process of counseling is still to commence, we direct the State Government to act in accordance with the aforesaid direction in processing and completing the selection process.
16. We clarify that the issue as to whether the appellants hold the qualifications strictly in accordance with the notification issued by the NCTE has not been decided by us since that is a matter of verification by the authority concerned."

19. The above mandamus was that the essential qualification given in Notification dated 23.08.2010 as amended by Notification dated 27.08.2011 be applied in selection process in question subject to verification whether candidate possesses qualification in terms of notification, therefore, there was no occasion for Division Bench to consider whether "Nursery Training Certificate" would be a minimum qualification equivalent to BTC Course?

20. The above issue was later on considered by another Division Bench of this Court in Uttar Pradesh Basic Shiksha Parishad (supra) wherein Harsh Kumar (supra) as well as a subsequent notification dated 12.11.2014 issued by NCTE was also considered. As well as stand of NCTE was also heard.

21. The Division Bench in Uttar Pradesh Basic Shiksha Parishad (supra) has thereafter arrived to a considered opinion that -:

"i. "Nursery Training Programme" as mentioned in the Government Order dated 30.06.2010 is not at all recognized under Appendix I or II of NCTE (Recognitions Norms and Procedure) Regulations, 2009. N.T.T. Course is recognized as per Appendix-4 of Regulations, 2009 meant for early childhood education.
ii. Early Childhood Education (ECE) is for pre-school and class I and II of primary education only.
iii. Elementary Training Education Programme aims of preparing teachers for elementary stage of education i.e. class I to VI/VII.
iv. Basic Shiksha Parishad of State of U.P. does not accord recognition to any nursery school to run additionally class I and II. There are three categories of institutions (i) Nursery School (ii) Junior Basic School (iii) Senior Basic School. Petitioners-opposite parties can be at the best appointed in Nursery School but they cannot be appointed in Junior Basic School/Senior Basic School.
v. Once N.T.T. Course as per the petitioners-opposite parties is designed for children in the age group of 4-6 followed by first 2 years in the formal school i.e. of children in the age group of 6-8 years, then the said course in question cannot be carried forward even to the students of Class III to V as it would be going beyond the N.T.T. course that has been designed."

22. The above reference makes a clear difference in nursery school and Junior basic school and their respective requirement of teachers in terms of their minimum education. The certificate in question is "Certificate Teacher (Shishu-Shiksha) Examination-2013. The subject of course are शिक्षा सिद्धांत तथा शिक्षालय संगठन, बाल अध्ययन, विशेष पाठन विधि ज्ञानोपकरण, विशेष पाठन विधि विषय and for reference, a certificate and result of one petitioner is scanned hereinafter -:

23. Petitioners have not brought on record details of study material/syllabus of referred examination in order to show that it would sufficient upto class-V also, whereas the Basic Teacher Certificate course has extensive study material much more than C.T. (Shishu Shiksha). For reference same is mentioned below -:

First Year Education and principles of teaching Psychological basis of child Development Teaching subject: Hindi, Environmental studies, Social Studies, Mathematics, Sanskrit/Urdu, English Cognitive Aspects: Moral Education, Physical Education and Music, Art Psycho Motor Aspect: Class Teaching, Curriculum Analysis Second Year Emerging Trends of Elementary: Education and Education Evaluation, School Management, Community Education and Health education Teaching Methods, work experience and Relevant Practical work: Hindi, Environmental Education, Science, Social Studies, Mathematic, SUPW, Sanskrit/Urdu, English Cognitive Aspects: Physical education and music Psycho motor aspect: class room teaching, school experience (internship) Community work and Action research, Analysis of Curriculum and text book

24. This Court has undertaken above exercise as Harsh Kumar (supra) has also granted liberty to verify whether course of a candidate would be same in terms of notification issued by NCTE, otherwise, U.P. Basic Shiksha Parishad (supra) is completely against the petitioners.

25. A bare consideration of standards of course material of Certificate Training (Shishu Shiksha) and Basic Teacher Certificate are sufficient to observe that course material of Basic Training Certificate is proposed for purpose of teaching upto Class-V, whereas course material of CT (Shishu Shiksha) would be limited to pre-school i.e. up to class-II only.

26. In view of aforesaid observations, not only U.P. Basic Shiksha Parishad (supra) is against the petitioners but above consideration of course material of CT (Shishu Shiksha) is not equivalent to course material of minimum qualification i.e. B.T.C. for appointment of Assistant Teachers.

27. Therefore, all writ petitions being sans-merit are dismissed.

28. Interim orders are vacated and its legal consequence shall follow.

Order Date :- February 16, 2024 N. Sinha [Saurabh Shyam Shamshery, J.]    





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Sunday, September 15, 2024

UP Teacher Transfer : महिलाओं के लिए ट्रांसफर में विशेष छूट प्रावधान को कोर्ट ने सही माना , और उनके नियम 8(2)(d) को निरस्त करने की याचिका को कोर्ट ने ख़ारिज किया , याची का कहना था की ये ट्रांसफर नीति महिला पुरुष शिक्षकों के लिए भेदभाव वाली है

UP Teacher Transfer : महिलाओं के लिए ट्रांसफर में विशेष छूट प्रावधान को कोर्ट ने सही माना , और उनके नियम 8(2)(d) को निरस्त करने की याचिका को कोर्ट ने ख़ारिज किया , याची का कहना था की ये ट्रांसफर नीति महिला पुरुष शिक्षकों के लिए भेदभाव वाली है  


Important Points from the Court Order:

  1. Rule 8(2)(d) of the Rules of 2008:

    • This rule stipulates that male teachers must serve five years, and female teachers must serve two years before they can seek inter-district transfers.
    • An exception is made for married female teachers to request a transfer after marriage.
  2. Previous Court Interpretations:

    • Writ Petition No. 4950 of 2018 (Anuruddha Kumar Tripathi vs. State of U.P. and Others):
      • The court held that while the five-year service rule applies generally, exceptions for extraordinary circumstances can be considered by the Basic Shiksha Parishad.
    • Kamini Singh vs. State of U.P.:
      • The court upheld the vires of Rule 8(2)(d), rejecting the argument that it was discriminatory. The rule applies uniformly to male and female teachers, except for married female teachers due to their change of district after marriage.
  3. Arguments Against the 2008 Rules:

    • Petitioners argued that the rules did not apply to transfers.
    • Petitioners relied on the State of Assam case (interpreting "posting" and "transfer").
    • The court clarified that the Assam case focused on district judges, making it irrelevant to teacher transfers under the Rules of 2008.
  4. Court's Reasoning:

    • The court ruled that the Rules of 2008 governing teacher postings and transfers are valid and applicable. The rationale is that transfers should not be frequent as it would disrupt the educational system.
    • Teachers are appointed and posted based on merit and preference, and restricting transfers ensures teachers serve the allocated cadre before seeking transfers.
    • The court dismissed the claim that Rule 8(2)(d) violates any constitutional provisions or is arbitrary.
  5. Consideration of Exceptional Circumstances:

    • The court reaffirmed that transfers can be allowed under exceptional circumstances, but routine personal reasons like the old age of grandparents do not qualify as extraordinary.

Interpretation:

  • The court emphasizes the importance of stability in the teaching cadre by enforcing minimum service periods before inter-district transfers.
  • The differentiation between male and female teachers' eligibility for transfer is justified based on marital status for female teachers, reflecting their right to seek transfer after marriage.
  • The court holds that educational administration needs must outweigh personal convenience to maintain the quality of education in remote areas.
  • The Rules of 2008 strike a balance between the teachers' rights and the need for consistent staffing in schools, particularly in rural or underserved areas.

Conclusion:

  • The policy requiring male teachers to serve five years and female teachers two years before applying for inter-district transfers is upheld as valid and reasonable.
  • The differentiation based on gender and marital status in Rule 8(2)(d) does not violate Article 14 (equality) of the Constitution as it has a reasonable nexus to the purpose of ensuring equitable teacher distribution.
  • Transfers are not a matter of right and must be granted based on administrative needs rather than personal preferences.
  • The writ petition challenging the rule is dismissed, and the court upholds the current transfer policies of the Basic Education Board as they do not contravene any statutory provisions or constitutional rights
See complete Court Order:

Allahabad High Court
Kul Bhushan Mishra And Another vs State Of U.P. And 4 Others on 16 June, 2023
Bench: Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Ashutosh Srivastava




HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
 
 


Neutral Citation No. - 2023:AHC:127211-DB
 
Court No. - 74
 

 
Case :- WRIT - A No. - 10209 of 2023
 
Petitioner :- Kul Bhushan Mishra And Another
 
Respondent :- State Of U.P. And 4 Others
 
Counsel for Petitioner :- Satyendra Chandra Tripathi
 
Counsel for Respondent :- C.S.C,Bipin Bihari Pandey
 

 
Hon'ble Ashwani Kumar Mishra,J.
 
Hon'ble Ashutosh Srivastava,J.

1. Petitioners in the present writ are Assistant Teacher working in Primary Institution run by the District Basic Education Board. Petitioner No. 1 was appointed by District Basic Education Officer, Kaushambi on 10.3.2019 and is posted in Block Nevada, District Kaushambi. Petitioner No. 2 is appointed as Assistant Teacher in Block Dhanupur, District Prayagraj. Petitioner No. 1 claims to be a resident of District Prayagraj; where petitioner no. 2 is a resident of District Fatehpur. Both the petitioners are desirous of seeking inter-district transfer. They have approached this Court challenging Clause 1 and 15 of the Government Order dated 2.6.2023 as well as the consequential circular issued by the Secretary, Board of Basic Education, dated 8.6.2023. A further prayer is made to command the respondents to entertain their application for inter-district transfer without imposing condition of five years service in the concerned district and to grant approval to their transfer in accordance with Rule 21 of the U.P. Basic Education (Teachers) Service Rules, 1981 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Rules of 1981).

2. It is not in dispute service conditions of both the petitioners are regulated by the Rules of 1981. Rule 21 provides for transfer, which is extracted hereinafter:-

"21. Procedure for transfer - There shall be no transfer of any teacher from the rural local area to an urban local area or vice versa or from one urban local area to another of the same district or from local area of one district to that of another district except on the request of or with the consent of the teacher himself and in either case approval of the Board shall be necessary."
3. In addition to the Rules of 1981, the respondents have made U.P. Basic Education (Teachers)(Posting) Rules, 2008 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Rules of 2008'), exercising the powers contained in Section 19(1) of the U.P. Basic Education Act, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act of 1972'). Rule 8 of the Rules of 2008 is relevant and is reproduced hereinafter:-

"8. Posting. - (1)(a) Three options for schools shall be asked from the handicapped candidates in order of their merit and after receiving such options the handicapped candidates shall be posted on the basis of options given by them and the vacancies.
(b) Based on the order of their merit, female teachers would be required to submit under their signature option of three schools each from the general and backward block and accordingly, posting would be given in one of these schools.
(c) The posting of male teachers shall be made in accordance with the order of candidates, in the roster prepared under Rule 7.
(2)(a) The newly appointed male teachers shall initially be posted compulsorily in backward areas for a period of at least five years.
(b) Newly appointed female teachers shall also be compulsorily posted in backward areas for a period of at least two years.
(c) Mutual transfers within the district from general block of backward block and vice-versa would be permitted with the condition that the teacher on mutual transfer to a backward block shall have to serve in that block compulsorily for five years. Mutual transfers would be permitted only in case of those teachers who have more than remaining five year's service.
(d) In normal circumstances the applications for inter-district transfers in respect of male and female teachers will not be entertained within five years of their posting. But under special circumstances, applications for inter-district transfers in respect of female teachers would be entertained to the place of residence of their husband or in law's district.
(e) If by virtue of posting of newly appointed or promoted teachers the primary and upper primary schools of backward blocks get saturated i.e., no post of teacher is vacant in these schools, then handicapped and female teachers on their choice can be adjusted against the vacant posts of general blocks from these saturated blocks.
(f) Mutual transfers of male/female teachers from one backward block to another can be considered.
(3) Teachers transferred from one district to another will be given posting as per the provisions of these rules."
4. Clause 1 and 15 of the Government Order dated 2.6.2023, challenged in this petition, are reproduced hereinafter:-

"(1) - जनपद में नियमित सेवाविधि शिक्षिका के लिए 02 वर्ष एवं शिक्षक के लिए 05 वर्ष होना अनिवार्य होगा। सेवाविधि की गणना कार्यरत जनपद के दिनांक से की जायेगी।
(15) - शैक्षिक सत्र 2023 - 24 के लिए अन्तर्जनपदीय एवं पारस्परिक स्थानान्तरण की समस्त प्रक्रिया शासनादेश के क्रम में राष्ट्रीय सूचना विज्ञान केन्द्र लखनऊ से विचार विमर्श के उपरान्त समस सारिणी के अनुसार ऑनलाइन किया जायेगा। ऑफलाइन आवेदन पत्र पर किसी भी दशा में विचार नही किया जायेगा। "
5. Circular dated 8.6.2023 is also challenged on the ground that the Board has invited applications for inter-district transfer of Assistant Teachers, but while doing so, the transfers by way of mutual consent have been excluded. It is urged that once applications are being entertained by the Board for transfer of teachers, there is no justification for the authorities not to include teachers who are seeking mutual transfer.

6. Grievance of petitioners are essentially two fold. The first part of their grievance is that while inviting applications for transfer of Assistant Teachers, there is no rationale to exclude teachers seeking transfers on mutual consent. Secondly, it is urged that the restriction of five years service by a male teacher before applying for transfer is arbitrary and discriminatory. It is also urged that Rules of 2008 do not regulate transfer of teachers and as no such restriction is contained in Rule 21 of the Rules of 1981, as such, the restriction imposed of five years service is unwarranted and arbitrary.

7. Petitioners rely upon the National Education Policy, 2020 to submit that the policy contemplates decent and pleasent conditions of service at schools and, therefore, request for mutual transfers be considered liberally, without imposing any restriction of minimum length of service in the district concerned. Reliance has also been placed upon the judgment of the Supreme Court in S.K. Nausad Rahaman and others Vs. Union of India and others, AIR 2022 SC 1494 and the Supreme Court in State of Assam Vs. Ranga Muhammad, AIR 1967 SC 903 to submit that Rules of 2008 will have no applicability in the matter of transfer.

8. Ms. Archana Singh, appearing for the Basic Education Board also places reliance upon the judgment of the Supreme Court in S.K. Nausad Rahaman (supra), particularly paragraphs 25 to 29 thereof, in order to submit that petitioners cannot claim entitlement to transfer as a matter of right. She further submits that the online portal for transfer has so far not been extended to mutual transfer on account of certain technical glitch and that the process would be initiated shortly. She further submits that as and when petitioners apply for such transfer their cases shall be considered as per the policy.

9. We have heard Sri Satyendra Chandra Tripathi for the petitioners, Ms. Archana Singh for District Basic Education Board and learned Standing Counsel for the State.

10. Admittedly both the petitioners are Assistant Teacher. Their service conditions including transfer is governed by the Rules of 1981. Rule 21, extracted above, provides for the procedure for transfer of teacher from rural local area to urban local area or vice-versa or from one local area to another of the same district or local area of one district to that of another district except on the request of, or with the consent of, teacher himself and in either case approval of the Board shall be necessary. Methodology to be followed for transfer of Assistant Teacher appears to have been formulated by the Board, which is consistent with Para 5.3 of the National Education Policy 2020 specifically providing that transfers of teachers will be conducted through online computerized system that ensures transparency. Clause 5.3 of the Policy is reproduced hereinafter:-

"5.3. The harmful practice of excessive teacher transfers will be halted, so that students have continuity in their role models and educational environments. Transfers will occur in very special circumstances, as suitably laid down in a structured manner by State/UT governments. Furthermore, transfers will be conducted through an online computerized system that ensures transparency."
11. So far as the petitioners grievance with regard to mutual transfer not being allowed is concerned, we find from the perusal of the Government Order dated 2.6.2023 that it lays down the policy for inter-district transfer of teachers working in the institutions run by the Basic Education Board as also for mutual transfer. Petitioners grievance is that the Board while inviting applications on the online portal has restricted the applications only for inter-district transfer and has kept aside applications for mutual transfer.

12. On behalf of the respondents it is admitted that as of now applications are invited only for inter-district transfers. A categorical statement, however, is made that the process is not initiated for mutual transfer since there are some technical glitch and that the process will be initiated shortly. The statement made by Ms. Archana Singh, therefore, adequately protects the petitioners so far as their grievance on the first count is concerned.

13. It is the second part of the argument relating to requirement of five year working for making application for transfer which requires consideration. Rule 21 has already been reproduced above which provides the procedure for transfer.

14. Part II of the Rules of 1981 specifies the cadre and strength of Assistant Teacher. Rule 4(1) contemplates separate cadre of service under the Rules of 1981 for each local area. Sub-rule (2) stipulates that cadre of teaching staff shall be determined by Board, from time to time, with the previous approval of the State Government. Two kinds of local area are contemplated in the Rules of 1981, namely 'rural local area' and 'urban local area'. This distinction was primarily drawn as initial jurisdiction over rural local area was exercised by Zila Panchayat while for urban local area it was either the Nagar Nigam, Nagar Panchayat, Town Area or notified area, which exercised its jurisdiction. Authority exercising its jurisdiction over such cadre has undergone a change but the two seperate cadre subsists in the district. Rule 21 permits transfer from the rural area to an urban local area or vice-versa or from urban local area to another of the same district or from local area of one district to that of another district to be made only on the request or with the consent of teacher himself and in either case approval of the Board is necessary. It is, therefore, apparent that transfer of a teacher from one cadre to another would be permissible either on his consent or on the request of the teacher. In both the exigencies, however, approval of the Board is necessary. Transfer from one cadre to another otherwise is not contemplated.

15. Rules of 1981 do not lay down the criteria for grant of approval by the Board to the request of transfer. In order to ensure that transfers are made in a fair and uniform manner, it is always open for the competent authority to lay down the criteria for grant of approval to such transfers. The criteria for transfer apparently has been formulated by the State vide Government Order dated 2.6.2023 for the Academic Session 2023-24. Petitioners are aggrieved by Clause 1 and 15 of the Government Order. Clause 1 states that female teacher must complete two years while male teacher must complete five years before her/his transfer would be considered. Clause 15 of the Government Order, under challenge, specifies that the transfer process would be undertaken in consultation with NIC in an online format. In no circumstance an offline application would be considered.

16. So far as the resort to the online process for effecting the transfer is concerned, we find that the direction in that regard is in conformity with Clause 5.3 of the National Education Policy, 2020 which requires transfers to be conducted through an online computerized system that ensures transparency. Even otherwise, we do not find any error in the Government Order dated 2.6.2023; whereby the process is to be undertaken in consultation with NIC Lucknow on the basis of an online process. The process undertaken online, prima facie, eliminates the possibility of any pick and choose and is expected to be transparent. The process undertaken online otherwise does not contravene any provision of statute nor goes contrary to any constitutional scheme. We, therefore, find no error in Clause 15 of the Government Order dated 2.6.2023 requiring the process to be undertaken online and thereby decline the entertainment of application in the offline format. The challenge laid to Clause 15 of the Government Order with regard to Transfer Policy, therefore, fails.

17. So far as Clause 1 of the Government Order dated 2.6.2023 is concerned, it requires that before applying for transfer under Rule 21, a female teacher must complete two years service in the district while for male teacher such period is specified as five years. The decision to insist upon minimum term of two years for female teachers and five years for male teachers has been subject matter of consideration by this Court in different writ petitions. So far as the decision in respect of a male Assistant Teacher appointed in a Primary School run by Basic Education Board is concerned, this Court in Writ Petition No. 4950 of 2018 (Anuruddha Kumar Tripathi Vs. State of U.P. and 5 others) observed as under in para 19:-

"19. In light of the aforesaid discussions, it is held that transfer of a male assistant teacher from one district to another, in a basic school, can ordinarily be made only after completion of 05 year initial posting in backward area in accordance with Rule 8(2)(d) of the Rules of 2008 as well as the policy framed for the purpose. However, in extraordinary or exceptional circumstances an application for transfer can be considered by the Basic Shiksha Parishad even before expiry of such term. The question whether in a given case extraordinary circumstances exists or not has to be examined by the Basic Shiksha Parishad."
The above observation appears to have been made relying upon the language used in Rule 8(2)(d) of the Rules of 2008, which contains the expression 'In normal circumstances' and therefore clearly excludes exceptional circumstances, to be determined by the Board.

18. Reliance is also placed upon the judgment of this Court in Kamini Singh Vs. State of U.P. and others, Writ Petition No. 8532 of 2018, wherein vires of sub-rule (d) of sub-rule (2) of Rule 8 of the Rules of 2008 had been challenged on the ground that classification of teachers based on their gender is impermissible. The Division Bench repelled the contention in following terms:-

"From a simple reading of the aforesaid Rules, it is apparent that the post of assistant teacher is a district cadre post and the appointing authority is the District Basic Education Officer. Upon selection, posting of a teacher is to be made as per the provisions of Rules 2008. In other words inter-district transfer is an exception to the general rule pertaining to placement and posting of teachers in blocks within the district is compulsory."
After noticing various judgments of the Apex Court on the issue, the Division Bench observed further as under:-

"The authorities relied upon by the learned counsel for the petitioner is of no assistance. The main part of Rule 8(2)(d) does not discriminate on gender, any teacher can seek transfer outside the district after five years of service, which is applicable to both male and female teachers uniformly, exception has been carved out by the impugned rule in respect of married female teacher to seek transfer after marriage. The rule requiring compulsory posting is to achieve the purpose and policy of providing teachers in schools located in remote areas of the district which ultimately serves the interest of the students and, in particular, teacher less schools. The functioning of schools would come to stand still if request of frequent transfer outside district is entertained, hence, the rules compulsorily requires posting of a teacher for five years before applying for inter-district transfer. The rule uniformly applies to male/female teachers, except married female teacher. The choice of district upon marriage gets altered, therefore, the married female teacher is permitted by the impugned rule to seek inter-district transfer in the changed circumstances due to her marital status.
When a law is challenged as denying equal protection; the question for determination by the Court is not whether it has resulted in inequality, but whether there is some difference which bears a just and reasonable relation to the object of legislation. Mere differentiation or inequality of treatment or inequality of burden does not perse amount to discrimination within the inhibition of the equal protection clause. To attract the operation of the clause it is necessary to show that the selection or differentiation is unreasonable or arbitrary; that is it does not rest on any rational basis having regard to the object which the rule making authority has in view. When, therefore, a law is challenged as offending against the guarantee in Article 14, the first duty of the Court is to examine the purpose and policy of the Act/Rule, to be ascertained from an examination of its title, preamble and provisions and then to discover whether the classification made by the law has a reasonable relation to the object which the legislature/rule making authority seeks to obtain. (Vide: Suraj Mall v. Biswanath7, Kedar Nath Bajoria v. State of West Bengal8, P.B. Roy vs- Union of India9,) For the reasons stated herein above, the challenge raised to the vires of sub-clause (d) of sub-rule (2) of Rule 8 of Rules 2008 fails. The writ petition being devoid of merit is, accordingly, dismissed."
19. The argument advanced on behalf of the petitioners that Rules of 2008 would not be applicable in the matter of transfer does not impress us. Petitioner's argument, in this regard, is essentially based on the observation made by the Supreme Court in Para 9 of the judgment in State of Assam (supra), which is reproduced hereinafter:-

"9. In its ordinary dictionary meaning the word 'to post' may denote either (a) to station some one at a place, or (b) to assign someone to a post, i.e., a position or a job, especially one to which a person is appointed. See Webster's New World Dictionary (1962). The dispute in this case has arisen because the State Government applies the first of the two meanings and the High Court the second. In Art. 233 the word 'posting' clearly bears the second meaning. This word occurs in association with the words 'appointment' and 'promotion' and takes its colour from them. These words indicate the stage when a person first gets a position or job and 'posting' by association means the assignment of an appointee or promotee to a position in the cadre of District Judges. That a special meaning may be given to a word because of the collocation of words in which it figures, is a well-recognised canon of construction. Maxwell ("On Interpretation of Statutes", 11th Edn., p. 321 and the following pages) gives numerous examples of the application of this principle, from which one may be given here. The words 'places of public resort' assume a very different meaning when coupled with 'roads and streets' from that which the same words would have if they were coupled with 'houses'. In the same way the word 'posting' cannot be understood in the sense of 'transfer' when the idea of appointment and promotion is involved in the combination. In fact this meaning is quite out of place because 'transfer' operates at a stage beyond appointment and promotion. If 'posting' was intended to mean 'transfer' the draftsman would have hardly chosen to place it between "appointment" and "promotion" and could have easily used the word 'transfer' itself. It follows, therefore, that under Art. 233, the Governor is only concerned with the appointment, promotion and posting to the cadre of District Judges but not with the transfer of District Judges already appointed or promoted and posted to the cadre. The latter is obviously a matter of control of District Judges which is vested in the High Court. This meaning of the word 'posting' is made all the more clear when one reads the provisions of Arts. 234 and 235. By the first of these articles the question of appointment is considered separately but by the second of these articles posting and promotion of persons belonging to the judicial service of the State and holding any post inferior to the post of a District Judge is also vested in the High Court. The word 'post' used twice in the article clearly means the position or job and not the station or place and 'posting' must obviously mean the assignment to a position or job and not placing in-charge of a station or Court. The association of words in Art. 235 is much clearer but as the word 'posting' in the earlier article deals with the same subject-matter, it was most certainly used in the same sense and this conclusion is thus quite apparent."
20. The above observation came to be made in the context of power of transfer to be exercised over district judges in a State. The Supreme Court found that the authority to make transfers was with the High Court and that the State Government was not the competent authority to exercise such power. Highest weight was directed to be given to the opinion of the High Court. Discussion was thus drawn between the expression 'posting' and 'transfer'. The factual scenario in the present case is, however, quite distinct. The service conditions of the petitioners are governed by the Rules of 1981. However, specific Rules of 2008 have been framed in the context of posting of teachers in different local area. Rules of 2008 contemplate list of schools to be prepared for posting of teachers in different institutions. Rule 8 stipulates the manner to be followed for posting of teachers in different institutions. It provides that inter-district transfer would be allowed in normal circumstances to the newly appointed teachers only after completing two years service in case of female teachers and five years service in case of male teachers. Rules of 2008 also provides for the posting of newly promoted teachers. Though the Rules of 2008 are christened as posting rules, but it intents to effectively deal not only with initial posting of teachers but also specifies that such teachers posted in the institution would be entitled to transfer, including mutual transfer, after initial service in the block for five years. Rule 8(1)(d) is specific in that regard. Vires of Rule 8(1)(d) has already been upheld by this Court.

21. Rule 8(1)(d) neither violates any provision of the Act of 1972, nor goes contrary to the Rules of 1981. The posting rules of 2008 in fact lays down the criteria for posting of teachers in different institutions and while doing so, restricts the eligibility for seeking transfer in normal circumstances as two years for female teachers and five years for male teachers. The condition requiring the male teacher to work for five years and female teacher for two years is essentially a matter of policy and unless it is shown to be violative of any Act, Rule or Regulation, we would not be justified in interfering with such policy as it is otherwise not shown to be arbitrary.

22. Assistant Teachers in Basic Education Institutions run by Basic Education Board teach students both in rural local area and urban local area. These teachers are appointed on the basis of a competitive process of recruitment and their posting is also made considering their merit as well as the option exercised by them regarding their place of posting. The roster is also followed for such purposes.

23. The allocation of particular cadre and place of posting to a teacher is thus on the basis of his merit and the option exercised. There is a specific purpose of not entertaining applications for transfer for few years as the teachers are expected to initially work in the specific cadre allocated to them or else the teachers from the very day of their appointment would start maneuvering their transfer to their desired place. The teachers otherwise have an important task to perform and the anxiety on their part must be to impart proper teaching to the students. By restricting their eligibility to seek transfer in normal circumstances for few years the State/Board apparently intents to discourage teachers from hankering for their desired posting soon after their appointment. The requirement for the teachers to serve cadre for a few years before they are allowed to seek transfer thus cannot be said to be arbitrary nor the policy can be questioned on any valid ground.

24. Transfer in the cadre is ordinarily not contemplated for an Assistant Teacher. The transfer from one cadre to another is conditional in terms of Rule 21 and requires approval of the Board. Transfer, therefore, is not stipulated to be claimed as a matter of right in these institutions. The State/Board would thus be justified in laying down a uniform criteria/process for entertaining applications for transfer.

25. In view of our discussions held above, we find no illegality or infirmity in the policy of the State to restrict entertainment of application for transfer in normal circumstances, unless the teacher has completed specified length of service in the cadre. Even otherwise, this Court has already clarified that in exceptional circumstance minimum period can be waived provided the Board is satisfied with regard to existence of exceptional circumstance for transfer. Old age of grand-parents, etc., which is the cause pleaded for transfer, would not constitute exceptional circumstance for transfer. These considerations otherwise are required to be examined by the Board at the first instance.

26. We are not inclined to discard the applicability of Rules of 2008 merely on the nomenclature of it as posting rules as we have already held that the requirement, in normal circumstances, of minimum length of service before seeking transfer does not contravene any provisions of the Rules of 1981 or any provision or Act. Mere nomenclature of Rules as being posting rules is otherwise not decisive.

27. We may gainfully refer to the judgment of the Supreme Court in S.K. Nausad (supra), wherein the Supreme Court has observed as under in paragraphs 25 to 29:-

"25. Second, executive instructions and administrative directions concerning transfers and postings do not confer an indefeasible right to claim a transfer or posting. Individual convenience of persons who are employed in the service is subject to the overarching needs of the administration.
26. Third, policies which stipulate that the posting of spouses should be preferably, and to the extent practicable, at the same station are subject to the requirement of the administration. In this context, J.S. Verma, J. (as the learned Chief Justice then was) speaking for a three-Judge Bench of this Court in Bank of India v. Jagjit Singh Mehta [Bank of India v. Jagjit Singh Mehta, (1992) 1 SCC 306 : 1992 SCC (L&S) 268] held : (SCC pp. 308-09, para 5) "5. There can be no doubt that ordinarily and as far as practicable the husband and wife who are both employed should be posted at the same station even if their employers be different. The desirability of such a course is obvious. However, this does not mean that their place of posting should invariably be one of their choice, even though their preference may be taken into account while making the decision in accordance with the administrative needs. In the case of all-India Services, the hardship resulting from the two being posted at different stations may be unavoidable at times particularly when they belong to different services and one of them cannot be transferred to the place of the other's posting. While choosing the career and a particular service, the couple have to bear in mind this factor and be prepared to face such a hardship if the administrative needs and transfer policy do not permit the posting of both at one place without sacrifice of the requirements of the administration and needs of other employees. In such a case the couple have to make their choice at the threshold between career prospects and family life. After giving preference to the career prospects by accepting such a promotion or any appointment in an all-India Service with the incident of transfer to any place in India, subordinating the need of the couple living together at one station, they cannot as of right claim to be relieved of the ordinary incidents of all-India Service and avoid transfer to a different place on the ground that the spouses thereby would be posted at different places. ... No doubt the guidelines require the two spouses to be posted at one place as far as practicable, but that does not enable any spouse to claim such a posting as of right if the departmental authorities do not consider it feasible. The only thing required is that the departmental authorities should consider this aspect along with the exigencies of administration and enable the two spouses to live together at one station if it is possible without any detriment to the administrative needs and the claim of other employees."
27. The above principle was cited with approval in Union of India v. S.L. Abbas [Union of India v. S.L. Abbas, (1993) 4 SCC 357 : 1994 SCC (L&S) 230] wherein the Court held that transfer is an incident of service : (SCC p. 359, para 7) "7. Who should be transferred where, is a matter for the appropriate authority to decide. Unless the order of transfer is vitiated by mala fides or is made in violation of any statutory provisions, the court cannot interfere with it. While ordering the transfer, there is no doubt, the authority must keep in mind the guidelines issued by the Government on the subject. Similarly if a person makes any representation with respect to his transfer, the appropriate authority must consider the same having regard to the exigencies of administration. The guidelines say that as far as possible, husband and wife must be posted at the same place. The said guideline however does not confer upon the government employee a legally enforceable right."

28. Fourth, norms applicable to the recruitment and conditions of service of officers belonging to the civil services can be stipulated in:

(i) A law enacted by the competent legislature;
(ii) Rules made under the proviso to Article 309 of the Constitution; and
(iii) Executive instructions issued under Article 73 of the Constitution, in the case of civil services under the Union and Article 162, in the case of civil services under the States.
29.Fifth, where there is a conflict between executive instructions and Rules framed under Article 309, the rules must prevail. In the event of a conflict between the Rules framed under Article 309 and a law made by the appropriate legislature, the law prevails. Where the rules are skeletal or in a situation when there is a gap in the rules, executive instructions can supplement what is stated in the rules. [Union of Indiav. Somasundaram Viswanath, (1989) 1 SCC 175, para 6 : 1989 SCC (L&S) 150]"

28. Paragraphs 43, 51, 52 and 53 of the judgment in S.K. Nausad Rahaman (supra), relied upon by the petitioners, recognize the principle that in exercise of judicial review the Court cannot direct the executive to frame a particular policy. Yet, the legitimacy of a policy can be assessed on the touchstone of constitutional parameters. The constitutional values are also taken into consideration while designing its policy. In the facts of the case we do not find the policy to be either violating the constitutional parameters or infringing the constitutional values. Petitioners, therefore, cannot draw any substance from the observation contained in paragraphs 43, 51, 52, 53 of the judgment in S.K. Nausad Rahaman (supra).
29. In view of the deliberations and discussion held above, we dispose off the writ petition on following terms:-
(i) Challenge laid to Clause 1 and 15 of the Government Order dated 2.6.2023 as well as challenge to Circular dated 8.6.2023 fails and are rejected.
(ii) In light of the statement made by the Board that online applications for inter-district transfer would be entertained shortly, and claim of eligible Assistant Teachers would be dealt with, it is provided that the Board shall open the online portal for mutual transfer, at the earliest possible, preferably within six weeks and claim of eligible teachers shall be dealt with, as per law.
(iii) Condition contained in the policy requiring, in normal circumstances, minimum length of service of five years in the cadre for male teacher and two years service for female teachers before seeking transfer is upheld. Challenge to such policy fails, accordingly.
(iv) Parties to bear their own costs.
Order Date:- 16.6.2023 Ranjeet Sahu (Ashutosh Srivastava, J.) (Ashwani Kumar Mishra, J.)   


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