Senior advocate and CPI(M) leader Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya has strongly criticised the West Bengal government over the alleged WBSSC teacher recruitment scam. He accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of turning teaching jobs into commodities, claiming that “teacher’s job was openly sold in the market.” His remarks come amid ongoing investigations into the irregularities in appointments made by the West Bengal School Service Commission, which has already put several top names under the scanner.
I am writing about this because the WBSSC recruitment scam has become one of the most talked-about issues in Bengal, affecting not just political debates but also the lives of thousands of genuine job seekers. For years, many aspirants have worked hard to secure teaching jobs, only to see their dreams crushed by corruption and favouritism. When someone like Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, who has been actively raising the issue in court, calls out the government, it highlights the scale and seriousness of the problem. Covering such developments is important because the integrity of recruitment processes directly impacts education, employment, and public trust in governance.
Advocate Bikash Ranjan’s Allegations
According to Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya:
- Teacher recruitment under WBSSC was manipulated to favour those who paid money or had political connections.
- Jobs were allegedly sold for lakhs of rupees, depriving meritorious candidates.
- The TMC government failed to act despite repeated complaints and legal challenges.
He argued that such practices not only destroyed the credibility of the recruitment process but also eroded faith in the state’s education system.
Background of the WBSSC Recruitment Scam
The controversy dates back to recruitments made by the West Bengal School Service Commission for teachers in government and government-aided schools. Allegations surfaced that candidates who did not qualify in written exams or interviews were appointed illegally, while deserving aspirants were left out. Investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) later revealed alleged money trails, leading to arrests of senior officials and political leaders.
Why This Issue Matters
The scam is not just about corruption; it directly affects education in West Bengal. If unqualified or undeserving candidates are appointed as teachers, students suffer from poor quality of teaching. At the same time, thousands of qualified aspirants who studied hard for years remain unemployed. This dual loss—poor education for children and unemployment for youth—makes the issue critical for the state’s future.
Political Impact
The recruitment scam has also become a major political flashpoint. Opposition parties, including CPI(M) and BJP, have used it to attack the TMC government, accusing it of institutionalising corruption. For the ruling party, defending its image and regaining public trust has become increasingly difficult as more details of the scam surface.
