The Calcutta High Court on Friday asked the West Bengal School Service Commission (SSC) and the state government to respond to a petition alleging non-compliance with the provisions of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 in the ongoing recruitment process for assistant teachers through the Second School Level Selection Test (SLST), 2025.
Justice Amrita Sinha directed both the SSC and the state government to file their respective affidavits within four weeks and allowed the petitioner to file a reply within two weeks thereafter. The matter will be listed for further hearing after the exchange of affidavits.
The petitioner has challenged the implementation of reservation norms in the SLST 2025, conducted by the SSC for recruitment in government-run and government-aided schools across West Bengal. It is alleged that the recruitment process failed to adhere to the mandated reservation for persons with disabilities (PwD) under the RPwD Act, 2016 and the corresponding rules.
Appearing for the petitioner, the counsel submitted that around 100 vacancies earmarked for PwD candidates remained unfilled due to non-availability of eligible applicants. The plea urged the court to restrain the SSC from altering the nature of these unfilled vacancies or diverting them to other categories until the legal challenge is decided.
The SSC, while opposing the plea, submitted that the reservation provisions had been implemented strictly in accordance with law. It, along with the state government, sought time to respond to the allegations by way of affidavits.
Justice Sinha made it clear that any steps taken by the commission in respect of the 100 unfilled posts for PwD candidates will be subject to the final outcome of the present petition.
The case will be taken up for final hearing after the affidavits are filed by all parties. The court has not passed any interim stay on the recruitment process, but has restrained the alteration of PwD vacancies pending adjudication.
