Allahabad High Court: Why are so many cases pending in the education department, angry High Court questions the Chief Secretary

Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has made a strong comment expressing displeasure over the working methods of the officers working in the Education Department. The court has asked the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh that why such a large number of cases of the education department are pending? Why are the officials not following the orders of the court? The court said, “In most of the cases it is found that these officers are incompetent, they should be kept on the desk with minimum work.” Skilled and competent officers should be posted at the place of work, who can take decisions expeditiously.

The court asked the Registrar of the High Court to apprise the Chief Secretary about this order of the court in 72 hours. It has also been directed that the Chief Secretary will present his report before the court through the Registrar. The court has fixed July 24 for hearing the matter. This order was given by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal while hearing a contempt petition filed by Rakesh Devi alias Rakesh Kumari.

The court said that in recent times, the number of contempt petitions from the education department has increased. The Court observed that around 20-25 officers of the State Government are required to perform their duties in the District or State on a daily basis. But due to non-compliance of orders, they are appearing before the court. This is happening because of the incompetence and inability of the state government officials to take decisions.

The Court observed that the officers are required to perform their public duties and in rare cases their presence in the court is necessary. But due to non-compliance of orders, the court is left with no option but to summon them.

The Court said that the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh should evolve a mechanism to initiate action and prepare a comprehensive plan with regard to the implementation of the orders passed by the Court so that the information about the decision given in a particular case is received expeditiously. decision can be taken. If the state government goes to the Supreme Court in the matter, then the decision should be taken accordingly and if the appeal does not go, then the order should be complied with.

‘Informations should also be sent through e-mail’
The court said that a mechanism should be developed to send the information through e-mail to the office of the Legal Adviser as well as the concerned department within 24 hours of the decision through the officers of the Law Department posted in the High Court. Thereafter, the concerned department should take the opinion of the legal advisor within the shortest possible time. All efforts should be made to convey its opinion through e-mail to the department concerned within three days so that the State or its department can approach the Supreme Court by way of appeal within the limitation period. This will prevent the State’s appeals from being dismissed on the ground of delay and many important matters will be disposed of by the Appellate Forum which will be in the interest of the State and its people.

‘Take help of digital platform’
The court said that cases are dragged on for years only on the basis of lack of information. Which can be reduced by using digital platform and these officers of the state government need to interact through e-mail to deal with the law department of the state. Mail that will reduce delays and not increase unnecessary litigation. The Court feels that huge amount of taxpayers’ money is being wasted due to delays by the officials of the State Government and the Legal Department. This also brings disrepute to the government.