A government school teacher in Madhya Pradesh has been dismissed from her post for allegedly concealing the birth of her third child, in violation of state employment policies. The action was taken after a thorough investigation revealed that the teacher, Ranjita Sahu, failed to disclose crucial personal information that directly affected her eligibility for government service.

Teacher Dismissed for Policy Breach on Number of Children

Ranjita Sahu, who was posted as a secondary school teacher at the Government Higher Secondary School in the village of Dhamora, Chhatarpur district, has been officially terminated from service. The dismissal was ordered by the Joint Director of Public Instruction, Sagar Division, citing a violation of employment rules laid down in the Madhya Pradesh Panchayat Contract School (Appointment and Contract Terms) Rules, 2005.

According to these rules, candidates appointed to government teaching posts after January 26, 2001, are prohibited from having more than two children. The policy aims to encourage family planning among government employees. Authorities allege that Sahu gave birth to a third child after this cutoff date and failed to disclose the fact to the education department.

Timeline of Events Leading to Dismissal

The controversy began when a report against Ranjita Sahu was filed with the District Education Officer's office on December 22, 2022. Based on this, disciplinary action was recommended, and the matter was escalated to higher authorities. On July 25, 2023, a show cause notice was issued to Sahu, asking her to clarify her position regarding the allegations.

She submitted her response on August 14, 2023. However, the department found her explanation unsatisfactory. Following this, a formal committee was set up to investigate the matter in detail. The inquiry report confirmed that her third child was indeed born after the 2001 policy cutoff and that she had not only concealed this information but also availed government benefits during her tenure without disclosing the complete truth.

Violation of Official Rules Cited

The inquiry committee determined that Sahu’s actions were in direct violation of Schedule-2 Clause (Kh)(9) of the MP Panchayat Contract School Rules. The clause disqualifies individuals who have a third child born after the stated date from holding such government positions unless officially exempted.

Based on this report, the department sent a final notice to her on February 6, 2025, demanding further clarification. When her reply was again deemed unsatisfactory, the Joint Director, Public Education, Sagar Division, issued a formal dismissal order, bringing her government service to an end.

Growing Attention on Compliance in Public Sector Jobs

The case has triggered discussions about the enforcement of employment policies in the public sector and the importance of transparency among government employees. The state government has in recent years tightened scrutiny on compliance with service rules, especially in sectors like education and health.

While some support the action as a necessary step to uphold policy integrity, others argue that personal circumstances should also be taken into account, especially in cases where no harm was done to public interest.

Final Word

The termination of Ranjita Sahu serves as a reminder of the strict adherence required to remain in public service. As regulations continue to evolve, government employees are expected to ensure complete transparency in personal declarations to avoid such serious consequences.