Govt justifies transfer of Pine Mount principal

SHILLONG, June 26: The state government on Monday filed an affidavit in connection with Aiom Ksiar Diengdoh’s petition challenging the order to transfer her from her position as the principal of Pine Mount School.
On June 19, the High Court of Meghalaya directed the state government to file the affidavit within a week.
A notification issued on June 9 by Commissioner and Secretary, Pravin Bakshi stated that in the interest of public service, the petitioner has been transferred and posted as the special officer of the Directorate of School Education and Literacy.
The notification further stated that the vice-principal of Pine Mount School, Vertimon Dkhar would take over as the principal temporarily.
Sources said the government defended its decision, claiming that the petitioner cannot continue in the same post to ensure that any departmental proceeding to be initiated against her would be fair.
A four-member inquiry committee had recommended that Diengdoh be removed as the principal in view of allegations of misappropriation and mismanagement of the school and illegal appointment of casual staff by disregarding the recommendations of the District Selection Committee.
In the June 19 order, Justice HS Thangkhiew stated that the 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 Diengdoh’s counsel submitted that neither any proceeding was pending against her nor had the said allegations against her been made known.
Stating that the matter has been listed for hearing on July 3, the court further said the interim order passed earlier shall continue till the next date.
The Education Department had on September 7, 2022, set up an inquiry committee to probe various complaints and grievances of teachers at Pine Mount School.
The committee headed by the Education Department Secretary, Ryntihlang Rapthap was directed to submit its report and recommendations to the state government at the earliest.