142 Delhi Guest Teachers May Face Termination for Refusing Census Duty

New Delhi, As many as 142 guest teachers in Delhi could be terminated for allegedly not carrying out their statutory obligation as census enumerators, with the government describing it as "gross negligence and indiscipline".

In a letter to the director of education dated April 24, the Old Delhi district magistrate said, "The teachers had declined to carry out assigned census work despite an earlier communication issued on April 16 highlighting the difficulties caused by their unwillingness to participate in the exercise."

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The refusal was an act of gross negligence, dereliction of duty and against public interest, he said.

"It is being informed that 142 guest teachers have refused to perform the above-mentioned duty. The list is attached for reference," the letter said.

The district magistrate asked for the services of the guest teachers to be terminated or withdrawn with immediate effect, saying that allowing such acts of indiscipline could also impact other employees who are on census duty.

He added that tolerating such non-compliance may also affect the census operation and morale of the people engaged in the statutory duty.

On the other hand, the Government Teachers Association of Delhi has appealed to Education Minister Ashish Sood to cancel the order to terminate the guest teachers.

GTA general secretary Ajay Veer has written to Sood that all the guest teachers mentioned in the matter are working on annual contracts, which will end on May 8.

Veer said the decision of the guest teachers not to join census duty was not an act of defiance but was because of difficulties, lack of resources and very low pay.

He stated that the daily remuneration of the guest teachers had not been increased for the past eight years and the current remuneration was barely sufficient to meet daily needs including transport.

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"The remuneration is not even adequate to meet basic expenses, making the discharge of such duties practically unviable," he said.

The education department could not immediately be reached for comment.

Veer appealed to the authorities to cancel the termination decision and ensure the guest teachers' annual contract is not terminated during the summer break.

He also called for guest teachers to be paid their monthly salary with no break and be given the extra amount as honorarium for census duty, as is the case with full-time teachers who are paid extra for the exercise along with their salary.

"Guest teachers are already working under precarious and temporary service conditions, and such harsh actions can severely impact their financial stability and morale," Veer said.

The government had selected guest teachers as census enumerators for its census exercise, which is considered a civic duty.

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