WBSSC Case News: New Twist in SSC Case! High Court Stays Judgement on Allowance for Group C and D Employees

WBSSC Case News: The legal battle over the West Bengal state government’s decision to provide an allowance to the retrenched Group C and Group D staff of the School Service Commission (SSC) continues. The Calcutta High Court has stayed the verdict in the case after hearing arguments from both sides in Justice Amrita Sinha’s court. The future of the allowance for the employees who lost their jobs now depends on the court’s final decision.

Background of the Case

Following the Supreme Court’s order, nearly 26,000 teachers and non-teaching staff lost their jobs in connection with the 2016 SSC recruitment scam. The state government then decided to provide a monthly allowance of ₹25,000 to the retrenched Group C employees and ₹20,000 to the Group D employees. This decision was challenged in the Calcutta High Court, creating a new stir in state politics.

Court’s Observations and Arguments

During the hearing, there was a heated legal debate between the lawyers of both parties.

• State’s Argument: The state’s advocate questioned the locus standi of the petitioners, asking, “How are the interests of the petitioners connected to the decision to provide the allowance? Why should they challenge this decision?”
• Petitioners’ Argument: The petitioners’ lawyer, Firdaus Shamim, strongly opposed this, making the following main arguments:
  • Contempt of Supreme Court: He stated, “The jobs of these employees were canceled by the order of the Supreme Court. That order is being misinterpreted. The legislature cannot take a contrary decision on a matter where the Supreme Court has given an order.”
  • Public Money at Stake: Shamim further argued, “Any citizen who pays taxes can file a case against the government’s decision to provide an allowance. Everyone has the right to know where and how public money is being spent. Therefore, the interests of the petitioners are also directly involved in this case.”

Earlier in this case, senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya had argued how the government could give an allowance from public tax money to those who got jobs through corruption, instead of recovering the salaries paid to them.

After hearing detailed arguments from both sides, Justice Amrita Sinha decided to stay the verdict.

What Lies Ahead?

With the High Court staying the verdict, the issue of the allowance for the retrenched Group C and Group D employees is now in limbo. The next steps will be determined only after the court’s final verdict. This case will not only determine the future of the employees who lost their jobs but will also set an important precedent for the state government’s policymaking and the transparency of the use of public funds. The education and job-seeking community of West Bengal is eagerly awaiting this verdict.