Date:01/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/01/stories/2005080117480300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

CAT suggests new transfer guidelines for KV teachers

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Central Administrative Tribunal, Ernakulam Bench, has suggested that a minimum period of stay at a particular station for a junior teacher of Kendriya Vidyalayas be stipulated so that the teacher who comes on transfer after a long stay at a far-off place could work at his/her station chosen by the teacher for a little more time.

The Bench comprising, Sathi Nair and K.V.Sachidanandan, vice-chairman and judicial member, directed that the copy of this order be sent to the Chairman, Board of Governors, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, New Delhi for reviewing the clause of the tenure in the guidelines on transfer. If the clause was not reviewed, the persons who came on transfer very recently from a far-off place might even be transferred again at the next moment without giving them any breathing time. The ruling was given while allowing an application filed by Agimon A. Chellamcott, Post Graduate Teacher (Mathematics), Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kadavanthara, challenging his transfer from Kadavanthara Kendriya Vidyalaya here to Jamuna Colliery.

The Bench expressed its dissatisfaction over the frequent changes in the transfer guidelines. It noted that when looked at the hardships and agony caused to the teachers on account of frequent transfers due to frequent changes in guidelines on transfers, the bench could find unreasonableness and arbitrariness in the action of the respondents.

In the earlier guidelines, there was a benevolent clause regarding the minimum period of stay at a particular station. However, this norm was withdrawn consciously and arbitrarily in the latest transfer guidelines.

As per earlier guidelines, the senior-most teacher who had completed 5 years of service should only be transferred. According to the new guidelines, the junior-most teachers could be transferred as the period of service had been omitted from the guidelines. In the absence of any stipulation for a minimum period of stay in a particular station, the same teacher might have to run from pillar to post.