Government considering dismissal of concerned teacher in molestation cases in state: Education Minister

Dharamshala, December 11, 2019: After a lot of kerfuffle by the opposition in the first two days in the ongoing winter session at Tapovan in Dharamshala, it was all settled on the third day on Wednesday. In the presence of the Opposition, the proceedings of the House continued in a cordial atmosphere on the third day of the session, including question hour in the morning and after lunch break. Apart from the Question Hour on the third day of the session, three important issues under Rule 62 were raised in the House. The discussion on health services in the state under Rule 130 was taken up. Four Bills were also introduced in the House today. After the end of the Question Hour, Leader of Opposition Mukesh Agnihotri raised the issue of molestation of girls by a teacher in a government school in his assembly constituency Haroli and caste discrimination in serving of mid-day meal in a government school under the Chief Minister's Shiraj assembly constituency. The Leader of Opposition demanded strict action against the accused in both these cases. He said that such cases in temples of education affect the future of children, so strict action should be taken in these cases. He said that the government should take action against those found to be involved in such cases instead of dismissal. In his reply on these matters raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that he was considering dismissal against those involved in molesting children in schools. He said in the House that a provision would be made against such teachers to be dismissed under the Services Act 311. He said that the government will not take any relaxation in such cases and strict action will be taken against the accused. The Education Minister said that after suspending the teacher accused of molesting girl students in Haroli School, the teacher in question has been given Shimla as department headquarters and orders have been given to investigate the matter. At the same time, in the case of caste discrimination, the head teacher of the school has been suspended.