Court Halts Monetary Aid Scheme for West Bengal School Staff

The Calcutta High Court has put a temporary hold on the West Bengal government's plan to provide financial assistance to non-teaching staff affected by a recent Supreme Court judgment. The scheme, intended to offer a safety net to dismissed employees, is paused until September 26.

The ruling comes after petitions challenged the disbursement of Rs 25,000 to Group C and Rs 20,000 to Group D employees, emphasizing issues with the original recruitment process. The state government has been instructed to present counterarguments in writing, with a set timeline to adhere to.

This judicial intervention affects nearly 26,000 staff members who lost their jobs due to the invalidated selection strategy conducted in 2016. The court's interim decision emphasizes the need for a comprehensive review before any further action is taken.

(With inputs from agencies.)