Tarun Gogoi

Guwahati, Feb. 26: The Tarun Gogoi cabinet, which met this afternoon, probably for the last time before the model code of conduct comes into effect next week, decided to form zonal screening committees to look into the appointment of excess/irregularly-appointed lower primary (LP) and medium English (ME) schoolteachers, working since the nineties.

Forest minister Rockybul Hussain said those with training would be regularised, while those without training would get a fixed pay. The decision is likely to impact around 9,000 teachers who are not getting any salary or whose salary was discontinued after the anomalies came to light.

Gauhati High Court had asked Dispur to take a call on the issue, an education department official said. “Those whose papers are in order and who have the right qualification should get through,” he said.

Another important decision was the approval to revise the pay of PSU employees. Those making profits have been given the authority to fix their own pay, while those in the B category will get salary according to the revised payscale. Those in C category will only get an interim relief of 10 to 15 per cent till the CAG audits their accounts. Moreover, the staff of 14 loss-making PSUs, which are to be closed, will get VRS benefit.

Sources said the two decisions were taken with an eye on election, as it involved over 50,000 individuals who were unhappy with the government. The government also agreed to bear the recurring cost of the 30 new industrial training institutes in accordance with the Centre’s instruction.