SHILLONG, June 25: The state government is likely to file an affidavit before the single bench of the High Court of Meghalaya headed by Justice HS Thangkhiew to ascertain the grounds of the transfer order issued against Aiom Ksiar Diengdoh (the petitioner) from her position as the Principal of Pine Mount School, Shillong.
While hearing the matter on June 19, the High Court has asked the state government to file an affidavit within a week’s time.
Sources on Sunday said that the Education department is likely to file an affidavit through its learned counsel, N Syngkon, on Monday.
Earlier in the order issued on June 19, Justice Thangkhiew had stated that learned counsel for the respondents produced some records to try and substantiate the reason for the transfer.
“As per the submissions made, the transfer is occasioned due to the alleged irregularities that had been committed by the writ petitioner,” the court said.
However, the court pointed out that the learned counsel for the petitioner, however, vehemently objects and submits that there is no proceedings pending against the petitioner nor has the said allegations been made known.
Stating that the matter has been listed for hearing on July 3, the court further stated that the interim order passed earlier shall continue till the next date.
Sources said that the present transfer was made as there were multiple complaints against the petitioner by a total number of 51 teachers and by 438 parents.
According to sources, the government had instituted a four-member departmental inquiry committee to probe into the various allegations. The petitioner was reportedly given an opportunity to defend and clarify on the various allegations.
The Education department had, on September 7 last year, set up an inquiry committee to probe into the various complaints and grievances of teachers at Pine Mount School.
The four-member committee headed by Education department Secretary Ryntihlang Rapthap was directed to submit its report and recommendations to the state government at the earliest.
Sources further claimed that the inquiry panel in its probe found that there were various allegations of misappropriation, mismanagement of the school and illegal appointment of casual staff by disregarding the recommendations of the District Selection Committee.
“The inquiry committee had recommended that she should be removed immediately from the post of principal. It was the recommendations of the inquiry committee that the transfer order against the petitioner was issued,” sources said.
The petitioner was appointed as the Principal of the Pine Mount School since 2014. Not even once she was transferred during her nine years as the principal of the school. But interestingly this transfer has come when the petitioner was about to retire on July 31 next.
The notification issued by Commissioner and Secretary, Pravin Bakshi on June 9 had stated that in the interest of public service, the petitioner is transferred and posted as the special officer of the Directorate of School Education and Literacy.
The notification had further stated that the vice principal of Pine Mount School, Vertimon Dkhar will temporarily hold the current charge of the office of the principal until further orders.
The Shillong Times tried to contact the petitioner but she was not available for comments.
