Jaipur : Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot ended up in an embarrassing situation on Tuesday after being told by teachers in the state they had to lobby local MLAs and pay cash for transfers and new posts.
In the event, in Jaipur which meant to honour teachers, the state education minister, Govind Dotasra, was on stage, when Mr Gehlot was told, effectively, of the corruption within his government.
A video has emerged online, where the CM is seen interacting, raising the issues teachers face – having to pay cash – and asks the crowd if this is true.
To this the crowd responds: “Yes, we have to pay.”
Mr Gehlot initially appears at a loss for words and then promises to look into the complaint. “It’s very unfortunate teachers need to pay money for transfer. A policy should be made…,” he said.
Following Mr Gehlot Mr Dotasra was quoted by news agency ANI: “It (paying cash for transfers) will be scrapped with the implementation of a policy for the transfer of teachers.”
#WATCH | Rajasthan Minister for School Education, Govind Singh Dotasra says, "…CM wanted to indicate that people pay money. It will be scrapped with the implementation of a policy for the transfer of teachers during the tenure of CM and me." pic.twitter.com/PLAn5cgjbY
— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2021
The video will, no doubt, provide the opposition BJP with more ammunition ahead of the 2023 Assembly election. The party has already sought to corner the ruling Congress over alleged irregularities in the 2021 Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers.
Last month Rajasthan BJP spokesperson and MLA Ramlal Sharma called on Mr Gehlot to apologise to the youth of Rajasthan for these “irregularities” and demanded that Education Minister Dotasra resign.
The BJP has also demanded a CBI probe and accused a Congress worker of being a key accused.
The Congress has denied this charge, and senior leader Sachin Pilot has promised strong action.
Meanwhile, Mr Gehlot must also contemplate a cabinet reshuffle in the days ahead – triggered by last year’s rebellion by Mr Pilot, who is still waiting for his supporters to be accommodated.
Education Minister Govind Dotasra is among those who could be removed, with the Congress expected to implement a ‘one leader-one post’ policy, ANI reported.
Mr Dotasra is also the Rajasthan Congress chief.
As an independent media platform, we do not take advertisements from governments and corporate houses. It is you, our readers, who have supported us on our journey to do honest and unbiased journalism. Please contribute, so that we can continue to do the same in future.
