The All Meghalaya Minority Students’ Union (AMMSU) has defended the dual appointment of the current SDSEO (Sub-Divisional School Education Officer) of Dadenggre to the post of the SDEO as well stating that nothing was amiss in the appointment of Ila Begum Lasker.
The defence of the SDSEO comes amid an opposition to her appointment by an NGO that called the move without basis and an official order. A conglomeration of NGOs wrote to the education minister questioning the official’s holding of dual posts while also asking for an investigation into how this was possible without an office order. They also sought the investigation of various allegations of corruption against the official in question.
“The SDSEO is presently posted as principal of Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Tura and she is the 4th senior incumbent principal as per draft seniority as per order. She was earlier the SDSEO, Dadenggre in 2017 and after promotion joined as principal in 2019,” said Nur Islam the AMMSU president.
According to them Laskar was no longer the SDSEO but an incumbent one as per the order passed in June, 2021. They added that there was no truth of the SDEO position being forcefully taken over by her arbitrarily as there were orders from the education department and the Governor to allow her to be the principal and hold charge of the post of Joint Director of School Education & Literacy and District School Education Officer, West Garo Hills.
“She has also been given authority to exercise the administrative powers including the powers to function as draw and disbursement Officer (DDO). The allegation that there is no office order, as has been alleged is baseless,” said Islam.
Further on the allegations of the official being involved in several Court cases and departmental disciplinary action, the NGO alleged that the government was fully aware of the record of the official and these allegations too were without basis.
“The government would not have allowed her in such a prestigious and responsible post if she was tainted. She is a public servant and as such has every legal and statutory right to hold any desirable posts if required by the government for public interest. Interruption in her promotion or holding any charge with due sanction of the government, by anyone is unconstitutional, violation of natural justice and unjustifiable,” asserted AMMSU through their letter to the CM.
