Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said 16,500 primary school teachers would soon be recruited as interview of the candidates, who had already cleared the written exams, would be conducted between January 10 and 17.

Besides, the chief minister also announced that a teachers’ eligibility test (TET) would be conducted on January 31 where a total of 2.5 lakh applicants had already applied.

“The third TET would be held on January 31 and the exam would be held offline,” said the chief minister at Nabanna on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting.

Later, education minister Partha Chatterjee said a notification to this effect would soon be issued.

Sources said the recruitment of teachers was held up in the state over the past few months because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ruling establishment had laid stress on completing the process before the model code of conduct was implemented ahead of the Assembly polls.

The sources said once the recruitments was done, it would give a weapon to the chief minister to counter the BJP as it had started campaigning that the ruling establishment has failed to recruit people through the school service commission.

“The most vocal on the issue is Suvendu Adhikari, who recently joined the

BJP deserting the Trinamul camp. It has an impact in the rural areas where educated youths dream of getting a job through the SSC. The chief minister is trying to counter the BJP on the issue,” said a source.

The sources also said the recent high court order to cancel the recruitment process of teachers in upper primary schools had given a weapon to the Opposition parties.

“The Opposition parties are claiming that the selection process of teachers in Bengal is nothing but a corruption. It is uncomfortable for any ruling party. The chief minister is desperate to counter the allegation by completing the recruitment process ahead of the polls,” said a source.

The cabinet on Tuesday approved recruitment of 9,282 constables and 1,085 sub inspectors in the state police force.

The cabinet also decided to set up a new block — Banarhat — by dividing Dhupguri block in Jalpaiguri district.

Besides, Telegu was accepted as an official language in Bengal after Telegu speaking people from Kharagpur had requested the chief minister on the issue.