The Department of Elementary Education in Hailakandi has formally initiated a departmental investigation against a government school teacher and Cluster Resource Centre Coordinator (CRCC), Anjan Nath. The inquiry was ordered by the Hailakandi District Elementary Education Officer (DEO), Tapas Dutta, following serious allegations that Nath has been actively working for a political party while employed as a government servant—a direct violation of service rules.
Violation of Service Rules and Democratic Rights
The core of the controversy lies in the conflict between government service regulations and political aspirations. The report highlights that while any citizen has the democratic right to support a political party or seek an election ticket, doing so while retaining a government job is strictly prohibited. For a government employee, actively campaigning or demanding a party ticket is considered professional misconduct. The report clarifies that Anjan Nath would be well within his rights to pursue a political career, but only after resigning from his official post. Instead, allegations suggest he has retained his position as a teacher while simultaneously launching a full-scale political campaign.
Details of the Allegations
Anjan Nath, who officially holds the post of Assistant Teacher at Janamangal Senior Basic School under the Katlicherra Education Block, is currently deputed as the Cluster Resource Centre Coordinator (CRCC) for the Lala Primary Education Block. Reports indicate that he has been neglecting his official duties to campaign for a ticket in the upcoming Hailakandi Assembly elections. He has allegedly been organizing meetings in various parts of the constituency and projecting himself as a candidate, effectively “ploughing the field” for votes while drawing a government salary.
Administrative Action
The issue came to light after prominent coverage in local newspapers, prompting the district administration to take note. DEO Tapas Dutta confirmed on Wednesday that he has directed Tapan Prajapati, the Block Elementary Education Officer (BEEO) of Lala, to conduct a thorough probe and submit a report.
“I have instructed the Lala BEEO to investigate the matter and submit a report,” said DEO Tapas Dutta.
In compliance with the order, Lala BEEO Tapan Prajapati stated on Thursday that he is looking into the long-standing allegations of Nath’s political involvement. “There are accusations that he has been working for a political party for a long time and is now demanding a ticket for the Hailakandi assembly seat. The entire matter is under investigation,” Prajapati confirmed.
Simultaneously, the Katlicherra BEEO, Nazmul Hussain Laskar, has been tasked with verifying Nath’s attendance and reporting. Since Nath is substantively posted in Katlicherra but works in Lala, Laskar has been asked to investigate whether Nath has been submitting his duty reports correctly and if his movement between the two education blocks is legitimate.
Public Complaints and Political Rejection
The investigation was further fueled by a formal written complaint submitted to the District Magistrate a fortnight ago. The complainant, a resident of Lala surnamed Nath, questioned how a government employee could publicly demand a party ticket and organize political meetings while neglecting his official responsibilities.
Despite Anjan Nath’s alleged high-profile campaigning for a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, the party leadership has dismissed his claims outright. When the matter was brought to the attention of Hailakandi District BJP President Kalyan Goswami, he brushed off the speculation effortlessly.
“Anjan Nath is neither a primary member nor an active member of the BJP,” Goswami stated firmly. “Therefore, the question of him receiving a party ticket simply does not arise.”
The administration is now awaiting the final reports from both the Lala and Katlicherra education blocks before taking further disciplinary action.