Himachal education minister sets September 18 deadline for promoted lecturers to join duty

NEW DELHI: Himachal Pradesh Education Minister Rohit Thakur on Tuesday set a deadline of September 18 for promoted lecturers to join duty, warning that failure to do so would lead to the forfeiture of their promotion. He cautioned that indiscipline and absenteeism would not be tolerated, and directed Deputy Directors to ensure proper leave applications are submitted at the Directorate level.

Strict action must be taken against those found negligent in their duties, he said, making it clear that lapses in accountability would not be ignored, according to a statement issued here. Presiding over a review meeting of senior officers and Deputy Directors of School Education (Higher, Elementary, and Quality Wing) on the implementation of reforms, schemes, and other education-related issues, Thakur said the government was committed to ensuring uninterrupted studies. However, the recent natural calamities had posed a serious challenge, he noted.

Expressing serious concern over the extensive damage caused to schools by heavy rains, which affected 1,125 educational institutions and resulted in estimated losses of Rs 59.5 crore, Thakur said Rs 51.13 crore had been released for restoration work at 646 schools. A sum of Rs 13.22 crore was released for 77 schools during the current monsoon season up to September 2025. Underscoring the urgency of the situation, he directed that restoration work be prioritised.

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Utilisation reports due in five days

Funds received under the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) must be utilised judiciously, with priority given to schools that sustained more than 75 per cent damage. He also instructed authorities to submit utilisation reports within five days, failing which unutilised funds would be diverted to other needy institutions. The government would also provide rent for temporary accommodation for damaged schools, he added. The minister said the State School Education Board would issue duplicate certificates free of charge to students whose documents were destroyed in the disaster.

Reviewing pending inquiries in sensitive cases related to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, NDPS Act, and financial irregularities, Thakur said investigations must be expedited and responsibility fixed at all levels. Exemplary action should follow to send a clear message that misconduct, corruption, or dereliction of duty would not be tolerated. Stressing the importance of regular inspections, he directed Deputy Directors to visit schools frequently.

Their inspection reports would be reviewed in every meeting. They are also responsible for protecting school assets, selecting safe sites for new buildings, and managing staff effectively, he said. Thakur also reviewed the rationalisation of teachers as per student enrolment and directed that at least three to four schools in every constituency must offer all academic streams with adequate staff. He further instructed that unnecessary deputations should be cancelled.