Cuttack, Jul 31: The Orissa High Court has issued an interim stay on the Odisha government’s controversial teacher transfer policy that allowed Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs) to recommend transfers of teachers within their constituencies.

The court’s decision came after two petitions challenged the legality of the policy, citing concerns over transparency and political interference in administrative matters.

The policy, notified on May 13, permitted elected representatives to recommend up to 15 intra-district transfers between May 15 and June 15. It barred transfers from rural to urban areas and required district-level transfer committees to review recommendations.

Justice Dixit Krishna Shripad, while admitting the petitions filed by teachers Ranjan Kumar Tripathy and Fakir Mahananda from Kalahandi district, observed that a prima facie case had been made for interim relief. The court stayed the transfer orders issued under the policy and issued a notice to the state government seeking a response.

The next hearing is scheduled to take place after four weeks. Until then, the interim stay will remain in effect, halting all transfers made under the MLA-MP quota.

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