Tripura TET-I qualifiers continued their sit-in outside Siksha Bhavan in Agartala on October 16, protesting against delay in recruitment and demanding appointment letters after recruitment stalled amid legal complications, prompting Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha to urge them to end the protest and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar to call for talks.
Key Takeaways
- TET Paper-I qualifiers continued their sit-in outside Siksha Bhavan in Agartala on October 16, demanding appointment letters and a definite recruitment timeline.
- Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha urged the candidates to trust the government and withdraw their agitation, while former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar backed their demands and called for talks.
- Legal disputes over examination answers have reportedly delayed recruitment, with a possible revision of the merit list adding to the uncertainty.
The delay in recruiting candidates who qualified in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) Paper-I has sparked a political response in Tripura, with Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha urging protesters to end their agitation and former Chief Minister Manik Sarkar extending his support to their demands. The candidates continued their sit-in outside Siksha Bhavan in Agartala since October 15, demanding appointment letters and a clear timeline for recruitment. Legal complications, including court proceedings over examination answers, have reportedly held up the process.
TET-1 Candidates Continue Sit-in During Durga Puja
The job aspirants continued their demonstration throughout Thursday, even as Durga Puja celebrations were underway. They said they had qualified in the examination, completed document verification and submitted the required applications but had yet to receive appointment letters.
The protesters alleged that the authorities had withheld recruitment because of a pending legal case. They maintained that the dispute had no direct connection with their candidature and expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding their careers.
The candidates declared that they would continue their agitation indefinitely until the government provided a clear assurance on recruitment. They also appealed to the Chief Minister to intervene and resolve the issue.
Their key demand is a written commitment that the government will settle the recruitment dispute within a specified period after Durga Puja.
Manik Saha Appeals to Protesters to Trust Government
Reacting to the agitation on Friday, October 16, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha urged the TET-1 qualifiers to withdraw their sit-in outside Siksha Bhavan. He said the government was aware of their demand for immediate recruitment and would take the necessary steps.
Saha asked the candidates to trust the government and said there was no need to continue the demonstration. He also warned that the agitation could inconvenience both the public and the protesters.
“I would urge them to have faith. I do not think there is any need to continue the agitation in this manner. The government is aware of the matter, and we will certainly do what is necessary,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that the government remained sensitive to people’s concerns and would act whenever required. He appealed to the candidates to end their protest, arguing that continuing the demonstration would not serve any purpose.
Manik Sarkar Supports Candidates, Seeks Direct Talks
Former Chief Minister and veteran CPIM leader Manik Sarkar took a different position, expressing full support for the protesters and their demand for employment.
Sarkar acknowledged that the government might not be able to appoint every eligible candidate at the same time. However, he questioned why the Chief Minister had not spoken to the protesting aspirants.
He pointed out that a large section of the prospective recruits would likely join the Education Department, which is also under the Chief Minister’s charge.
Sarkar described the failure to engage with the candidates as unethical and inhumane. He said the aspirants had been compelled by their circumstances to stage a night-long protest even before Durga Puja.
“I fully support their movement from the bottom of my heart. I also support the demands they have raised,” Sarkar said.
He urged the government to meet representatives of the protesters and take positive steps towards recruitment based on their qualifications and eligibility.
High Court Cases Complicate Recruitment Process
The recruitment process for TET Paper-I qualifiers has reportedly stalled because of legal complications. The matter is pending before the Tripura High Court, while other cases concerning the correctness of examination questions are also under consideration.
Recently, the High Court directed the Teachers’ Recruitment Board, Tripura (TRBT), to award additional marks to certain candidates who challenged an answer in the final answer key.
The intervention has reportedly complicated the recruitment process further. If the authorities revise marks in accordance with the court’s direction, they may have to update the entire merit list. Around 3,000 candidates reportedly attempted the disputed question.
Departmental sources said efforts were underway to resolve the issues as soon as possible and issue appointment offers. However, the pending legal proceedings have left candidates uncertain about when the recruitment process will conclude.
TET Paper-I Appointments Still Awaited
The government has recently distributed appointment offers to candidates selected through TET Paper-II and the Selection Test for Graduate Teachers (STGT). Those recruits will teach different classes in secondary schools.
TET Paper-I, by contrast, serves as the qualifying examination for recruitment to undergraduate teacher posts in elementary schools.
The Paper-I qualifiers remain awaiting appointments while the authorities address the legal issues. Their demand for a time-bound resolution has become the central point of the ongoing agitation.
The next steps will depend on the resolution of the court-related complications and the government’s response to the candidates’ demands. While Saha has urged the protesters to trust the government and end their sit-in, Sarkar has called for direct talks and concrete action to address their concerns.
