Jaipur: A recent finance dept circular has triggered concern within the education dept, as it stated that Grade-III teachers (Level 1 and Level 2) will no longer be recognised as state service employees personnel..The June 2 circular states, “…employees of state PSUs, autonomous bodies, local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions are not govt servants. Consequently, if such employees are appointed to govt service through direct recruitment, the last pay drawn in their previous post will not be eligible for protection under Rules 24 and 26 of the Rajasthan Service Rules, 1951.”Govt school teachers claim the order could affect thousands of Grade-III teachers who secured higher posts through direct recruitment and were granted pay protection based on their earlier service. The govt is now reportedly examining cases where salaries may be re-fixed and excess payments recovered.The education dept Friday wrote to the state govt seeking clarification, asserting that Grade-III teachers are state govt employees.Teachers pointed to a March 14, 2011 circular issued by the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Dept, which states that while recruitment may be conducted under specific authorities, all service-related matters after recruitment fall under the parent dept which in this case is the school education dept.The state president of the Rajasthan Primary and Secondary Teachers’ Association Vipin Prakash Sharma said, “Grade-III teachers recruited through Zila Parishads or Panchayat Samitis remain part of the education dept. Many of them have subsequently been selected as lecturers (PGTs) and on other posts through direct recruitment and are currently serving in the education dept.”Sharma added that during salary-fixation audits in several districts, the pay protection granted to Grade-III teachers after their appointment as lecturers through direct recruitment is being questioned on the grounds that their previous service is not being treated as state service.Teachers added that their seniority is maintained by district education officers and forms the basis for promotions to posts such as principal and DEO.“Deductions such as GPF and State Insurance are made from their salaries in the same manner as for other state govt employees. If recoveries are ordered, many affected teachers could face recoveries of at least ₹5 lakh, which most cannot afford,” Sharma added.Rajesh Yadav, secretary for school education said, “We have received the letter from the education department and we are examining it.”
