West Bengal Cabinet Approves Group D Jobs, New Rule for Future Teachers

The West Bengal Cabinet decisions announced on Wednesday included permanent Group D government jobs for eligible family members of those killed in the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede and a new restriction preventing future state-school teachers from directly participating in politics while in service.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the measures were approved at a Cabinet meeting and would be implemented through the relevant government and School Service Commission recruitment rules.

Permanent Group D Jobs for Chorbagan Stampede Victims’ Families

The Cabinet approved permanent Group D employment for one eligible member of each family affected by the October 17 Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal stampede, subject to eligibility and domicile requirements.

Adhikari said family members willing to take up employment would be directly recruited as permanent Group D staff.

The government had earlier announced ₹25 lakh in compensation and a Group D job for each bereaved family, along with financial assistance for those injured.

Future Teachers Barred From Active Politics

The second major decision concerns teachers recruited to state-run schools in the future.

Adhikari said newly recruited teachers would not be permitted to participate directly in politics or contest elections while continuing in service. The restriction would cover elections to panchayats, municipalities, the Assembly and the Lok Sabha.

The provision will be incorporated into the West Bengal School Service Commission recruitment rules.

Existing Teachers in Politics Exempt

The Chief Minister clarified that the new rule would not affect teachers who are already serving as elected representatives or are currently involved in politics.

According to Adhikari, the restriction would apply only to future recruits.

He said the government wanted teachers to focus on education and maintain the dignity of the profession.

Adhikari Comments on Indranil Sen Probe

Adhikari also commented on the investigation involving former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen, who was arrested on Wednesday in connection with alleged financial irregularities linked to Durga Puja preview shows and the sale of entry passes.

The Chief Minister said it was the responsibility of investigating agencies to act wherever evidence was available and added that he would not interfere in the investigation.

₹30 Lakh Transfer Under Investigation

The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that nearly ₹30 lakh was transferred from an account linked to Sen’s Octave Records to former chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s bank account. Sen has maintained that the payment was made as royalty.

Importantly, the ED did not attribute criminality to that transaction in its public statement, and the nature of the payment remains part of the investigation.

Cabinet Decisions Put Focus on Jobs and Education Rules

The latest West Bengal Cabinet decisions therefore combine rehabilitation measures for families affected by the Durga Puja tragedy with changes to recruitment conditions for future teachers.

The government says the employment measure is intended to support bereaved families, while the revised SSC rule is aimed at separating future teaching appointments from direct political activity.