Chandigarh: Around 75% of over Rs 100 crore in long-pending arrears of Chandigarh govt schoolteachers appointed through the 2014-15 recruitment process has been released, according to teachers and beneficiaries, following the Supreme Court’s directions in the recruitment case.The dues relate primarily to the implementation of the sixth and seventh pay scales. Teachers are entitled to arrears under the sixth pay scale from Jan 1, 2016 and benefits under the seventh pay scale from April 1, 2022. The exact arrears vary according to the teacher’s post, date of joining, service period and pay fixation.According to beneficiaries, a TGT teacher has arrears of around Rs 23-25 lakh, while JBT teachers have dues of around Rs 18-19 lakh each. The teachers concerned were recruited against posts of Nursery Teacher, JBT and TGT in the recruitment process initiated in 2014.The recruitment involved 1,149 posts. After the recruitment, allegations of a paper leak led to cancellation of the selection by the Chandigarh administration, triggering a prolonged legal battle. The teachers approached the Central Administrative Tribunal, and the matter subsequently travelled to the Punjab and Haryana high court and Supreme Court.The Supreme Court, in its April 21, 2026 directions, allowed the recruitment to stand after the administration failed to establish the allegations against the selection as a whole, while cases involving candidates against whom material had emerged during the investigation were treated separately.Following the SC directions, the directorate of school education, Chandigarh administration, issued an order on Sept 30 for implementation of the consequential service and financial benefits. The order provides for completion of probation after two years from the respective dates of joining and confirmation after clearance of probation.The order provides for revision of pay with effect from Jan 1, 2016 under the Punjab Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2021, corresponding to the sixth pay revision, and further revision from April 1, 2022 under the Chandigarh Employees (Revised Pay) Rules, 2023, corresponding to the seventh pay revision. ACP/MACP benefits have also been provided wherever applicable.On the arrears, the Directorate has stated that payment is subject to availability of funds from the Finance Department. It has requested the Finance Department to release the funds and directed the concerned school heads and drawing and disbursing officers to undertake pay fixation and prepare statements for payment of the dues.Teachers said around three-fourths of the total arrears had been received so far, while the remaining amount was awaited.The September 30 order also retains the administration’s liberty to initiate disciplinary proceedings or cancel a selection if material emerges during investigation or further investigation regarding a teacher’s involvement in the alleged recruitment-related offence.
