Edu dept suspends teacher for posting comments on social and print media

CHANDIGARH: UT education department on Wednesday suspended a teacher working on contract basis under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for “posting comments/articles on social media like facebook and print media”. The teacher Arvind Rana is the president of SSA teacher’s welfare association. Confirming the development BL Sharma education secretary said that he has been suspended till further order.This is the second suspension in a month.
In the order issued on Wednesday by Director School Education, Rubinderjit Singh Brar a copy of which is with TOI it has been stated that “Vigilance Department. Chandigarh Administration vide letter dated February 12, 2019 has informed that Arvind Rana, is posting comments/articles on social media like facebook and print media through which he is indulging in unauthorized and adverse criticism of the policies and actions of the Government of India as well as Chandigarh Administration. He has also posted adverse comments on social media against senior/constitutional functionaries of the Government.”
The letter further read as “He has thus misconducted himself by criticizing the department’s internal matters and policies and thereby tried to tarnish the image of the Education Department before the public. Accordingly, the contract of Arvind Rana. TGT SST working in Government High School in Sarangpur under Samagra Shiksha, Chandigarh is hereby suspended with immediate effect for indulging in activities which are prejudicial to the interest of the Department/Movement and unbecoming of a contractual employee. This is issued with the approval of competent authority.”
The teacher could not be contacted for a comment till the filing of this report.
On January 21 the department had suspended another teacher named Swarn Singh Kamboj for the same reason. He was a table instructor in government model senior secondary school in sector 20D Chandigarh and is the president of UT cadre educational employee’s union.
His suspension orders had read as “Swam Singh Kamboj. Tabla Instructor Government Model Senior Secondary School 20/D Chandigarh is hereby placed under suspension under Sub-Rule(1) of Rule 4 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules 1970 with immediate effect for violating the Conduct Rules During the suspension period, his Headquarter will be the office of District Education Officer, Chandigarh Administration and he will not leave the Headquarter without obtaining the prior permission of the competent Authority.”