Dehradun: A major lapse has come to light in the state’s Education Department, where the government order used to grant ad-hoc promotions to thousands of teachers for eight years has gone missing. Chief Information Commissioner Radha Raturi has directed the Director General and Director of Education to initiate departmental and legal action against the responsible personnel. The order also mandates that the missing file be reconstructed.
The case surfaced after Pushpesh Sanga, a resident of Dhari block in Nainital, sought information under the RTI Act. He requested certified copies of the order and rules under which ad-hoc promotions from LT to lecturer posts were granted between 2001 and 2008, along with details on ten related points.
As the department failed to provide the documents, Sanga filed an appeal with the State Information Commission. During the hearing, officials admitted that the file went missing due to repeated shifts of the directorate. Commissioner Raturi noted that the absence of this record raises questions over the validity of such promotions, as many of these teachers were later given permanent promotions as well.
The Director and Director General have been asked to report the matter to the government within three months and take strict action against those responsible. They must also reconstruct the missing file. The order further allows the applicant to file a case, and a copy has been forwarded to the SSP Dehradun to ensure legal action if such a complaint is filed.
