Orissa High Court directs govt to reappoint 15 employees disengaged with SIET closure

The Orissa High Court has ordered the state government to reinstate 15 employees who were dismissed following the closure of the State Institute of Educational Technology (SIET) in 2013.

Established in 1980 under the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), SIET was created to support primary and secondary education through audio-visual learning tools. On the recommendation of the central government, it was granted autonomous status by the state on January 1, 1990.

Before SIET was set up, the Centre had approved the creation of 120 posts. Over time, the state government sanctioned 118 positions under the INSAT scheme. However, the Odisha government decided to shut down SIET on April 29, 2013, which led to the termination of several employees.

Fifteen of those affected filed petitions on May 7, 2013, claiming that their termination was unjust, especially since 63 other employees had been absorbed into different government departments by treating them as being on deputation.

In a judgment delivered on April 25, as per The New Indian Express, Justice Sashikanta Mishra instructed the government to place the petitioners in suitable vacancies within any department or directorate. He also ruled that their years of service and other employment benefits must be preserved. The authorities were given a three-month deadline from the date of the judgment's communication or the submission of a certified copy to issue the necessary orders.

Justice Mishra noted that the petitioners had been appointed to permanent positions created after January 1, 1990, and had served for over 20 years. Therefore, it was unjust to treat them differently from those employed before that date. He further stated that since both groups held similar roles, and 63 employees were accommodated under the notion of deputation, the petitioners deserved the same treatment.