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Indian Express
5 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
HC upholds discharge of Haryana probationary judge: ‘deemed confirmation a perilous concept'
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has upheld the dismissal of former probationary civil judge (junior division) Ankur Lal, rejecting his plea against a decade-old discharge order over integrity concerns and unsatisfactory performance. The ruling, pronounced on Thursday by a bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel, dismissed Lal's writ petition challenging the decision of the high court's Full Court, which recommended his discharge on July 23, 2012. Acting on these recommendations, the Haryana Government issued an order on December 4, 2012, terminating his probationary services. Lal had approached the high court through Civil Writ Petition No. 17822 of 2013, seeking to quash both the Full Court's recommendation and the discharge order. He had served as a probationary civil judge from 2009 to 2012, but his service record reflected multiple adverse remarks. These included a 'B-Satisfactory' rating in 2009–10, a 'C–Below Average' rating with the remark 'integrity doubtful' in 2010–11, and a 'B–Average' rating in 2011–12, during which the Bar Association of Ferozepur Jhirka submitted an anonymous complaint against him. The Administrative Committee had recommended that his services be dispensed with, a view endorsed by the Full Court and conveyed to the government, culminating in the discharge order. In court, Lal argued that under Rule 7.3 of the Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Service) Rules, 1994, he was entitled to deemed confirmation upon completion of three years of probation, especially in light of available vacancies. The bench rejected this argument, holding that deemed confirmation requires both a permanent vacancy and satisfactory service—neither of which was applicable in Lal's case. 'There is no allegation of mala fide intent on the part of the authorities,' the court noted. Emphasising the importance of integrity in the judiciary, the bench observed in its judgment: 'The concept of probation is to enable the Employer to analyse the work, conduct and behaviour of the appointee… This power cannot be taken away… Deemed confirmation is a perilous concept in service jurisprudence…' 'If deemed confirmation is brought into play… then an anomalous situation would arise where the probationer, despite being unfit, is deemed to be confirmed, bringing into the service a Judge of doubtful integrity. This would be deleterious to the very concept of probity on which the entire judicial system stands,' it added. The court found no procedural irregularity in the discharge decision and ordered that Lal's Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) be returned to the relevant branch. With this ruling, the high court has reinforced the principle that integrity and performance during probation are non-negotiable in judicial appointments, and automatic confirmation cannot override a service record marred by adverse remarks.
United News of India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
SC slams Navy for denying Permanent Commission to woman JAG Officer
New Delhi, May 22 (UNI) The Supreme Court has criticised the Indian Navy for not granting Permanent Commission (PC) to Commander Seema Chaudhary, a woman officer from the 2007 Short Service Commission (SSC) batch in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch, despite clear directions given earlier by the top judiciary. A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N. Kotiswar Singh took serious note of the Navy's inaction, making it clear that the court's previous direction to 'consider' the officer's case could not be used as an excuse to avoid action. 'Enough is enough… we give you one week to grant her Permanent Commission,' Justice Kant stated sternly during the hearing. The case revolves around Commander Seema Chaudhary, who has faced prolonged legal battles and filed nearly five petitions seeking justice. Her counsel, Senior Advocate Rekha Palli, argued that while male officers are inducted directly into Permanent Commission, women officers are only taken in through Short Service Commission. She added that currently, there are no women JAG officers in the Navy. After reviewing Chaudhary's service record and performance reports, the court questioned why she was denied PC, especially when she was found fit in all respects. In defence, Senior Advocate Dr. R. Balasubramanian, representing the Navy, pointed to three Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) that included adverse comments. However, the court noted that these ACRs had already been overruled by the reviewing authority. Justice Kant also criticised the bias reflected in the ACRs, implying a male superior had unfairly assessed the officer's work. 'She was graded well in all parameters, and one officer's personal opinion cannot undo her service,' he remarked. The bench reminded the Navy that a 2024 Supreme Court order had already directed reconsideration of the officer's case under Article 142 of the Constitution. The court had ordered that Chaudhary's case be decided independently, as she was the only 2007-batch JAG woman officer eligible for PC. The judgment also permitted the Navy to proportionally increase the number of PC vacancies to accommodate her, ensuring that no other officer would be displaced and that this move would not set a precedent. Justice Kant reminded the Navy's counsel, 'This is not about ego. The 2024 judgment has reached finality. It cannot be ignored at the whims of authorities.' The petitioner alleged that her PC was being denied as retaliation for a workplace harassment complaint she filed against a male officer. A Board of Inquiry reportedly found merit in her complaint, yet she was transferred within a day of filing it, while the accused officer remained in the same post. On the request of Dr. Balasubramanian to seek further instructions, the court agreed to list the matter for further hearing in the first week of July. UNI SNG SSP
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Every principal, teacher will be held responsible for students who didn't perform well: Chandigarh Education Secy
A COMPREHENSIVE meeting with all principals will be held to review the Class X and Class XII board exam results, Education Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, said. Teachers with the highest number of students in the compartment or failed category will be required to attend the meeting and present an explanation. In a meeting on Friday, Prerna Puri, Education Secretary, Chandigarh Administration, highlighted the robust infrastructure and the presence of a well-qualified teaching community in government schools. In light of these strengths, she pointed out, there should be no reason for students to fail or be placed in the compartment category in the board exam results. 'Every principal and teacher will be held accountable for lapses, and at the same time, due credit will be given to teachers and principals whose students excel and perform well,' Puri said in a statement. The Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of teachers will now include evaluations of student performance for accountability. Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) will be held on May 17 for parents of students who have a compartment in the board exams. Subject teachers will be present in these meetings to discuss the challenges of the students and discuss and plan the way forward with parents. Principals and teachers will review the results and begin extra classes for students to ensure that every compartment student clears the re-exams. The District Officer (DO) will prepare a detailed analysis of Class X and Class XII results, presenting the details of students who have passed, failed and have got a compartment, and these details will be categorised school-wise, area-wise, and subject-wise, to identify the gaps. It was also noted in the statement that despite clear instructions, not many teachers have yet adopted an adult learner, as this initiative is 'mandatory and compulsory'. Teachers who have adopted at least one adult learner were appreciated. It was further instructed in the meeting that teachers teaching only morning sessions must adopt at least one adult learner. Teachers posted in central sectors of the city will adopt an adult learner, and failure to adopt will lead to a recommendation for transfer of the teacher to peripheral area schools and assignment to teach evening sessions. Also, transfer requests will not be considered from teachers who have not adopted an adult learner, and those who do not adopt an adult learner will have a negative reflection in the ACR starting this year.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
UT's Mission 100: Teachers to be held accountable for compartment cases
1 2 3 Chandigarh: Chandigarh's school education authorities have announced a tough new crackdown on poor academic performance , making it clear that accountability for compartment cases will no longer be overlooked. Under the newly launched Mission 100, teachers and principals will be directly answerable for their students' results, with consequences now firmly tied to outcomes. The department is moving beyond warnings—strict monitoring, remedial action, and performance-linked reporting are set to become the norm across government schools. Officials pointed out that government schools already have the infrastructure and qualified teachers needed to ensure student success. With no excuses left, teachers who have large numbers of compartment students will have to explain their performance, and their Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) will be updated accordingly. School principals will also be held responsible for the overall academic results of their institutions. A detailed breakdown of board results by school, subject, and area is being prepared to identify weaknesses. Schools have been ordered to conduct urgent reviews and hold extra classes to help compartment students clear their exams. Parent-teacher meetings are scheduled from tomorrow for subject teachers to discuss progress and recovery plans with parents. The department also noted poor compliance with its earlier adult education directive. Teachers who have not adopted an adult learner face transfer to peripheral schools, evening shifts, and restrictions on transfer requests, with such non-compliance reflected in their ACRs. Mission 100 sets ambitious goals of 100% attendance, pass rates, and teacher accountability . It emphasises data-driven reviews through the VSK digital platform and stronger parent engagement via School Management Committees, signalling a new era of strict academic discipline in Chandigarh's government schools. Box: Pass percentage behind nat'l average This decisive action follows Chandigarh's Class 10 CBSE results, where the city recorded an 88.5% pass rate—more than 5% behind the national average of 93.66%. The gap has intensified pressure on the administration to implement reforms that produce measurable improvements. BOX- Key directions under Mission 100 Teachers and principals held accountable for compartment cases; ACRs updated accordingly School-wise, subject-wise, and area-wise analysis of board results underway Parent-teacher meetings from tomorrow to plan remedial action for compartment students Mandatory extra classes for students with compartments to ensure success in re-exams Teachers must adopt at least one adult learner; penalties for non-compliance Monthly performance reviews via the VSK digital platform Strengthened communication between parents and schools through School Management Committees
