😲 Calcutta HC 🔒 Blocks Bengal’s Big ₹25K–₹20K Relief Plan for Sacked Staff!
- MediaFx
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
TL;DR: Calcutta High Court, led by Justice Amrita Sinha, has paused West Bengal govt’s ₹25,000 (Group C) and ₹20,000 (Group D) financial aid scheme for non‑teaching school staff dismissed after the Supreme Court declared the 2016 SSC recruitment tainted. The interim stay will remain until September 26, 2025, or until further court orders. The court wants the government to respond within four weeks, with petitioners given a two‑week window to reply.
📌 What Happened?
On June 20, 2025, the Calcutta HC halted the state’s plan to provide one-time ₹25K or ₹20K help to dismissed non‑teaching staff, following petitions from other displaced aspirants.
These job losses stem from a Supreme Court decision on April 3, 2025, declaring the 2016 SSC recruitments tainted due to corruption, affecting ~26,000 appointments.
👩⚖️ Court’s Concerns
Justice Sinha criticised the scheme, stating that giving money to those found guilty of fraud or corruption would erode public trust and amount to “unjust enrichment”. Allowing such payouts, she argued, implicitly supports the tainted recruitment process.
🧾 What Next?
The HC’s interim order is valid until the court reconvenes on September 26, 2025, or sooner.
The Bengal government must submit an affidavit within 4 weeks; petitioners have 2 weeks to reply.
Separately, other petitions challenge the fairness of the state’s revised SSC recruitment rules.
💸 Background: The ₹ Scheme
In May 2025, the Mamata Banerjee‑led state approved a "Livelihood and Social Security Interim Scheme", offering ₹25,000 monthly to Group C and ₹20,000 to Group D staffers pending court verdict.
The intent was to temporarily ease financial stress while awaiting final legal outcomes.
🤔 Why It Matters
Rule of Law vs. Relief: The HC emphasises that state welfare can’t override legal equity—especially when fraudulent hiring is involved.
Thousands Affected: With ~26,000 staff let go, many from marginalized backgrounds may now face a funding gap.
Political Angle: West Bengal govt framed it as "humanitarian aid", but the court views it as rewarding corruption.
💬 MediaFx POV
From a working‑class, socialist lens, while no one should starve, relief must be equitable and legally sound. Instead of blanket payouts to those implicated, the govt should push for reinstatement of "untainted" workers, transparent fresh recruits, and fair compensation—without nourishing corruption. True #socialjustice is about equality and accountability, not freebies for the tainted.
✍️ Share Your Thoughts!
What do you think, fam? Should the state help all dismissed staff, or only those proven innocent? Drop your thoughts below 👇 Let’s chat!
#CalcuttaHC #WestBengal #SSCScam #Corruption #SocialJusticeTL;DR: Calcutta High Court, led by Justice Amrita Sinha, has paused West Bengal govt’s ₹25,000 (Group C) and ₹20,000 (Group D) financial aid scheme for non‑teaching school staff dismissed after the Supreme Court declared the 2016 SSC recruitment tainted. The interim stay will remain until September 26, 2025, or until further court orders. The court wants the government to respond within four weeks, with petitioners given a two‑week window to reply.
📌 What Happened?
On June 20, 2025, the Calcutta HC halted the state’s plan to provide one-time ₹25K or ₹20K help to dismissed non‑teaching staff, following petitions from other displaced aspirants.
These job losses stem from a Supreme Court decision on April 3, 2025, declaring the 2016 SSC recruitments tainted due to corruption, affecting ~26,000 appointments.
👩⚖️ Court’s Concerns
Justice Sinha criticised the scheme, stating that giving money to those found guilty of fraud or corruption would erode public trust and amount to “unjust enrichment”. Allowing such payouts, she argued, implicitly supports the tainted recruitment process.
🧾 What Next?
The HC’s interim order is valid until the court reconvenes on September 26, 2025, or sooner.
The Bengal government must submit an affidavit within 4 weeks; petitioners have 2 weeks to reply.
Separately, other petitions challenge the fairness of the state’s revised SSC recruitment rules.
💸 Background: The ₹ Scheme
In May 2025, the Mamata Banerjee‑led state approved a "Livelihood and Social Security Interim Scheme", offering ₹25,000 monthly to Group C and ₹20,000 to Group D staffers pending court verdict.
The intent was to temporarily ease financial stress while awaiting final legal outcomes.
🤔 Why It Matters
Rule of Law vs. Relief: The HC emphasises that state welfare can’t override legal equity—especially when fraudulent hiring is involved.
Thousands Affected: With ~26,000 staff let go, many from marginalized backgrounds may now face a funding gap.
Political Angle: West Bengal govt framed it as "humanitarian aid", but the court views it as rewarding corruption.
💬 MediaFx POV
From a working‑class, socialist lens, while no one should starve, relief must be equitable and legally sound. Instead of blanket payouts to those implicated, the govt should push for reinstatement of "untainted" workers, transparent fresh recruits, and fair compensation—without nourishing corruption. True #socialjustice is about equality and accountability, not freebies for the tainted.
✍️ Share Your Thoughts!
What do you think, fam? Should the state help all dismissed staff, or only those proven innocent? Drop your thoughts below 👇 Let’s chat!
