In the bustling city of Kolkata, West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee ignited a political firestorm last Saturday with a controversial promise to support non-teaching staff dismissed amid a recruitment scandal. Her announcement of financial aid was met with severe criticism from opposition parties, which deem the move legally questionable.

Mamata Banerjee, determined to mitigate hardships for the affected Group C and D staff of state-run schools, revealed plans to financially support them with sums ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000. This aid, however, precariously hangs on the outcome of a special review petition filed with the Supreme Court. “We are exploring every possibility to ensure these staff members are not left destitute,” Banerjee asserted, facing resistance from various political fronts.

Yet, opposition figures, notably BJP’s Samik Bhattacharya, argue that any such financial commitment is premature and lacks legal sanction. “By making these assurances, Banerjee overstepped her jurisdiction, endangering the state’s legal stance,” he warned, considering the situation sub-judice.

Political Ripples Stirred by a Simple Announcement

In a sequence more akin to political drama than administrative protocol, Banerjee’s method of announcement also raised eyebrows. Using the chief secretary’s mobile speaker phone during her declaration has been interpreted by some, including CPI(M)’s Sujan Chakraborty, as a significant breach of democratic decorum and respect for legal institutions.

Behind the Termination: The SSC Test Debacle

This uproar traces back to the Supreme Court’s action earlier in April, which dismissed a total of 25,753 teaching and non-teaching personnel following a deeply flawed recruitment process in the SSC 2016 test, leaving those non-teaching staff without immediate judicial relief.

Seeking a Lawful Path Forward

Banerjee acknowledges the complexity of the situation, noting, “Should our review plea fail, we shall look towards other means—our commitment to supporting the dismissed colleagues remains unwavering.” Yet these proposals risk flouting legal norms, inviting potential contempt charges from the judiciary, a scenario vividly delineated by critics.

As the saga unfolds, all eyes remain fixed on how West Bengal’s government will navigate this precarious judicial and ethical landscape. According to The Federal, this unfolding scenario displays the delicate balance between humanitarian governance and steadfast legal adherence.