DHENKANAL: Uncertainty looms large over the fate of 129 primary school headmasters who have not received salaries for the last eight months. Another 19 headmasters have retired since then. However, their salaries for the same period have been pending.As per reports, the School and Mass Education Department had elevated 148 primary school headmasters to headmasters in upper primary schools in Dhenkanal, Hindol and Kamakshyanagar education circles in the Dhenkanal education district in December last. Accordingly, the headmasters joined their new postings. However, acting on a case, the Orissa High Court (HC) stayed the promotions stating that the Department did not seek its prior permission. The HC had earlier imposed restrictions on ‘fixing of seniority’ of headmasters of primary and upper primary schools of the State in an interim order. Following this, the Department claimed that it had notified the promoted headmasters to revert to their previous schools. However, the headmasters alleged that they have so far not received any official intimation from the Department in this regard. As a result, these promotees are reluctant to go back to their old posts. As they refused to join, they have not been getting salaries since December. Meantime, 19 of them have retired. The harassed headmasters had recently staged a demonstration blaming the Mass Education Department for their plight. They demanded pension and gratuity to the retired 19 headmasters and their promotion status.DI of Schools Ranjan Giri said the higher authorities in the Department have been informed of their plight.
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