Assam: Teachers' forum criticizes order to cut teachers' salaries in Dhubri, refers to rule violation

An administrative directive given by Adit Kumar Sarmah, AES-1 and Inspector of Schools, Dhubri District Circle, that instructed the deduction of salaries from teachers who had not marked attendance on the Siksha Setu app has elicited huge criticism from the teaching community.

As per the directive, Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) were all directed to deduct one day's salary from those teachers who did not mark their attendance on the digital platform starting April 9. The initiative, intended for enhancing digital accountability and attendance conformity, was implemented after several reminders to teaching personnel went in vain, according to reports.

However, the order makes exemption for those teachers who are on approved leaves such as Earned Leave, Child Care Leave (CCL), Maternity Leave, or B.Ed. deputation. The DDOs were further directed to place the Action Taken Report before the Inspector of Schools' office in unexceptionable terms.

In a strong and swift reaction, Sadou Axom Sammilita Shikshak Mancha — the platform of united teachers' association — deprecated the order calling it "arbitrary and without due process." Ranjit Borthakur (President) and Utpal Chakraborty (General Secretary), leaders at forum, brought charge that order infringes on Rule No. 311 of THE RULES-1964 wherein employees need to be offered the opportunity of hearing before making them undergo the imposition of a deduction in pay.

The administration has sanctioned teachers without notice, reason, or any investigation into potential technical glitches with the Siksha Setu application," the forum said. It also condemned the one-sided nature of the decision, saying that teachers' rights are being ignored in the name of administrative compliance.".

The forum has called for the order to be revoked immediately and threatened a democratic protest movement if the directive is not withdrawn. "We do not favor confrontation, but silence in the face of injustice is not acceptable," the forum leaders stressed.

The directive will impact 387 teachers, and the backlash has caused widespread unease in the education community. The situation is being watched by stakeholders as tempers rise between district officials and the teaching profession.