State fears contempt of court if salaries are disbursed to over 26,000 dismissed school teachers from the 2016 panel
Nearly 26,000 school teachers in West Bengal, dismissed following the Supreme Court’s cancellation of the 2016 recruitment panel, are now facing fresh uncertainty — this time over their monthly salaries. Although their names have appeared on the state’s official salary portal, the disbursement of their pay remains stuck in a legal limbo.
According to sources in the West Bengal School Education Department, all dismissed teachers’ names have been included in the salary portal that went live on April 1, 2025. However, legal experts have warned that if the state proceeds with salary disbursal, it may be interpreted as a violation of the Supreme Court’s judgment, potentially amounting to contempt of court.
Legal Tangle: Salary Payment or Court Contempt?
The School Education Department is currently in talks with the State Law Department to find a viable solution before the April 17 salary portal deadline. The state is cautious, as the Supreme Court judgment declared the 2016 panel illegal, and any financial benefit granted to those dismissed may attract legal consequences.
Why the State is in a Dilemma
Court Ruling on 2016 Panel: The Supreme Court’s decision mandates invalidation of the 2016 recruitment, making salary payments legally risky.
DA Controversy: Uncertainty also surrounds the disbursement of an additional 4% Dearness Allowance, further complicating matters.
Time-bound Legal Action: The state has until the end of May 2025 to file a review petition in the Supreme Court, adding urgency to the decision.
Reactions from Affected Teachers
Some of the dismissed teachers have accused the state of “political vendetta”, while others fear that accepting salary now may force them to repay it later. Mehboob Mondal, convenor of the Yogyo Shikshak Adhikar Mancha, stated:
“We are not demanding salaries right now. If we receive payments without legal clearance, we might be compelled to return the amount later — and that’s what worries us.”
What Legal Experts Say
Contempt or Not?: The Supreme Court has canceled the appointments, not ordered recovery of past salaries.
Temporary Relief Possible: The state can seek interim permission from the court to release pending salaries.
Moral Responsibility: Experts advise the government to consider the financial plight of the teachers with a humanitarian approach.
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