Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has refused to stay the counselling process by the Department of Public Instructions over the transfer of primary and high school teachers in the state. The court has also directed the state to continue holding counselling while asking it to consider the suggestions of the teachers as per law and the 2007 rules pertaining to transfers of school teachers.
Earlier, the government advocate submitted that the counselling for transfers has already begun and courts should not interfere in such a situation.
The department had on June 1 issued a circular over mandatory transfer of those who have served for more than 10 years in a certain place for 2019-20.
Citing transfer rules as unscientific, several teachers had approached the KAT with certain suggestions to rectify the rules. However, KAT had ruled against them while asking them to appear before the counselling, which they challenged it before the high court.
Prohibition of smoking
The High Court issued notice to the central government and others following a PIL seeking to declare Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, as dangerous to public health.
The petition seeks directions to restrain the government from enforcing the section 4 of the Act until their plea is decided by the court.
Section 4 deals with "prohibition of smoking in a public place. No person shall smoke in any public place: Provided that in a hotel having 30 rooms or a restaurant having a seating capacity of 30 persons or more and in the airports, a separate provision for smoking area or space may be made.".
Govt office shifting: HC sends notices
The High Court issued notices to state government following a petition seeking directions to implement the decision of the state in shifting nine offices of various departments to districts in the North Karnataka region. The petition alleges that despite issuing a gazette notification in April over shifting of at least nine offices, no action has been taken.
HC takes upsuo motu case
The High Court has issued notice to State Government following a suo-motu case which it has registered. The case pertains to five students who were electrocuted at Devaraj Urs Residential School in Koppal recently when they were trying to remove the flag post installed for Independence Day celebrations on the first-floor terrace of the hostel building.
