Punjab and Haryana High Court okays recruitment of 1,158 assistant professors and librarians

PTC Web Desk: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has given a green signal to the recruitment of 1,158 assistant professors and librarians, overturning the previous order by a single Bench that had cancelled the entire recruitment process.

Of the selected candidates, 484 had joined their positions two years ago, but have not yet received their postings. Despite being considered Punjab government employees, they were not being paid salaries. Only 135 of them had been allotted stations and were receiving salaries, while the rest were awaiting the High Court's decision.

The recruitment, initiated in 2021, had been under judicial scrutiny after a single Bench last year cancelled the entire process. In response, both the candidates and the state government appealed to a double Bench.

By the time the single Bench's ruling was issued, 609 candidates had already joined, and 135 had received their station allotments. Due to the double Bench's status quo order, only the 135 candidates were allowed to work and receive salaries, leaving the remaining 484 without postings or pay.

The state government, highlighting a severe shortage of teachers in government colleges, had urged the court to allow the posting of these remaining candidates. On Monday, the double Bench accepted the appeal from the government and  the applicants, overturning the single Bench's decision, and approved the recruitment process.