Kolkata, May 24 – In a significant move, the West Bengal government has announced an interim relief plan for non-teaching employees who lost their jobs following the Supreme Court’s upholding of the cancellation of 25,753 appointments made through the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). These appointments were nullified due to large-scale recruitment irregularities.
On Friday evening, the state’s Labour Department issued a formal notification introducing the scheme titled “West Bengal Jibika Evam Vishesh Suraksha Interim Scheme.” The scheme was approved by the state cabinet on May 14 and is aimed at providing temporary financial support to the affected Group C and Group D staff.
Monthly Allowance to Continue Until Legal Process Ends
According to the notification, Group C employees will receive a monthly allowance of ₹25,000, while Group D employees will be granted ₹20,000 per month. These payments will be considered effective from April 1, 2025, and will continue until the ongoing legal proceedings reach a final conclusion.
The government clarified that this financial aid is not a reinstatement of employment, but a welfare measure in light of the prolonged legal uncertainty.
Political and Legal Repercussions
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has previously defended the state’s move, stating that the decision to route the scheme through the Labour Department was made to avoid repetitive public interest litigations aimed at halting government action.
However, the scheme has already met legal resistance. A petition challenging the scheme has been admitted by a single bench of Justice Amrita Sinha in the Calcutta High Court. The petition alleges that these payments are illegal, potentially setting the stage for yet another prolonged courtroom battle.
Background: Supreme Court Upholds Cancellation of 25,753 Appointments
On April 3, the Supreme Court upheld a Calcutta High Court order canceling 25,753 appointments made by the WBSSC due to evidence of corruption and procedural violations. The apex court criticized the state and the Commission for failing to distinguish between “guilty” and “innocent” appointees, thereby warranting a blanket cancellation.
The state government and the WBSSC have since filed a review petition in the Supreme Court, which is still pending.
As the legal drama continues, this interim scheme by the Bengal government appears to be an attempt to provide temporary relief while simultaneously navigating political, administrative, and judicial complexities.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
