In a major win for fairness, the Orissa High Court has directed the Odisha government to reinstate 15 employees who lost their jobs after the closure of the State Institute of Educational Technology (SIET) in 2013.
What Was SIET and Why Was It Closed?
SIET was set up in 1980 under the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT). Its mission was to improve primary and secondary education using audio-visual teaching tools—something quite progressive for that time.
Recognizing its importance, the central government recommended granting it autonomy, and the Odisha government officially gave it autonomous status on January 1, 1990.
Before launching SIET, the Centre had approved 120 posts to run the institute. Later, the Odisha government sanctioned 118 posts under the INSAT scheme, which was designed to support educational broadcasting.
However, on April 29, 2013, the state government decided to shut SIET down. This decision led to job losses for many employees.
Why the 15 Employees Took Legal Action
After being terminated, 15 employees filed petitions on May 7, 2013, arguing that their dismissal was unjust and discriminatory. Their main complaint was this:
- While 63 of their colleagues had been absorbed into other government departments by treating them as “on deputation,” they were left out despite holding similar positions and qualifications.
What the Court Said
Delivering judgment on April 25, 2025, Justice Sashikanta Mishra ruled in favor of the petitioners. Here’s what the court ordered:
- Reinstatement: The government must place the 15 employees in appropriate positions in any department or directorate.
- Job continuity: Their past service years must be preserved, meaning their retirement benefits, promotions, and other employment rights should remain intact.
- Deadline: The government has three months from the date it receives the judgment or a certified copy to comply.
Why This Decision Matters
The court pointed out that all 15 petitioners were appointed to permanent roles after January 1, 1990, and had each served for more than 20 years. Justice Mishra made it clear that it was unfair to treat them differently from those who had been given new placements.
He emphasized that both groups—those absorbed and those terminated—performed similar duties. So, if one group was given the benefit of redeployment, the other group deserved the same treatment.
Key Takeaways
- The Orissa High Court ruled that firing long-serving SIET employees while absorbing others was unfair.
- All 15 petitioners must be reinstated with full benefits preserved.
- The Odisha government has three months to act on the order.
