Criticising Govt by College teachers will attract disciplinary action: DHE Assam

December 30: The Department of Higher Education, Government of Assam has now come up with a new diktat in the face of the ongoing anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Bill) protest going on in different parts of the state. In an office order issued by the Director of Higher Education (DHE), Assam, it was categorically stated that government employees should refrain from criticizing govt polices openly or face disciplinary action.

In a notification issued by the Director of Higher Education, Assam, it was stated that, “A government servant shall not make any statement of fact or opinion criticizing the government. If any government servant is found criticising the Government, he/she will held responsible for violation of Rule 3 and Rule 7 of Assam Civil Service (conduct) Rules, 1965 which will attract the appropriate provision of the Assam Service (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964.” The order has been sent to all Principals of Govt/ Provincialised colleges in the state of Assam.

It needs mention here that teachers serving in various provincialised colleges of Assam has organised protest demonstration under the banner of their respective college or ACTA (Assam College Teachers’ Association) unit. However, the ACTA leadership was not available for comment while filing this report.

A similar diktat was also issued recently by the Director of Elementary Education, Assam. Following which, Bandita Borah, a computer teacher at Titabar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) in Jorhat district was severed termination notice from the school. However, later on, under pressure from AASU and other organisations, the termination order was cancelled and the terminated teacher was reinstated.

Also Read: Defying strict govt stricture, college teachers association to launch protest against CAA