‘Terminally ill’ teacher transfer cases to be re-examined

492 teachers have obtained transfer under this category

Taking note of teachers seeking transfer on fake medical grounds, the Department of Public Instruction will now re-examine the medical records of all the 492 teachers who obtained transfer under the ‘terminally ill’ category.

The Hindu on Wednesday exposed how teachers with common illnesses such as diabetes had claimed the benefit that comes from being ‘terminally ill’.

It is learnt that the department has referred 32 suspected cases of false claim coming under Bangalore division to a city hospital for re-examination.

Commissioner for Public Instruction Mohammad Mohsin said the department would re-examine all the records and initiate action against those who had obtained false medical records or had obtained transfer on health conditions other than that of heart diseases, kidney failure, cancer, and HIV/AIDS, which are listed as ‘terminally ill’.

According to rules framed under the Karnataka State Civil Services (Regulation of Transfer of Teachers) Act, 2007, if the teacher, his/her spouse or child has any of the four illness, the transfer case can be considered under ‘terminally ill’ category. Also, there is no cap on such transfers.

Sources said the scope of investigation would be decided after preliminary reports were obtained.

Mr. Mohsin, in his letter to the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare in April 2014, had laid down guidelines for considering a person ‘terminally ill’. The letter said that it was necessary for doctors to name the place where treatment could be availed of by such person. These guidelines, however, have been not followed.

Sources in the department said that several teachers had claimed benefits for common illnesses. Many had also obtained false certificates for terminal illnesses. “While doctors can be held responsible for issuing false certificates, the department should be held accountable for providing transfers for those with common ailments,” a department source said.

A senior doctor in a State-run hospital said doctors could not be blamed. “Many doctors have examined the candidates and stated the ailments the person suffers from. We have not termed conditions like diabetes and anaemia as terminally ill. But if doctors have issued false certificates, the government should not hesitate to take action against them,” the doctor said.