Dereliction of duty by headmasters is the main cause behind the delay in payment of pension and other statutory dues to retired schoolteachers, Justice Rajasekhar Mantha of Calcutta High Court said on Friday.
The judge said: “The state education department should identify these headmasters and take appropriate action against them.”
The judge was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by retired teachers of state-aided schools alleging that they were not getting their retirement benefits, including pension, even months after retirement.
In connection with the case, Justice Mantha had earlier summoned the district inspectors of schools.
The judge also heard the submission by the state’s advocate-general on the allegations made by the teachers.
After hearing all sides, the judge came to the conclusion that several headmasters were making delays in taking routine steps like sending the required documents to the relevant departments.
As a result, retired school teachers are suffering.
Scooterist hurt
A 23-year-old scooterist was injured when the two-wheeler she was riding apparently lost control and crashed into a roadside wall in front of the Panchanangram crossing on EM Bypass on Thursday night.
Police said Chayanika Sarkar, a resident of Picnic Garden, was taken to a private hospital on EM Bypass where she was treated and discharged.