WHITE INK SCAM

SHILLONG, Jan 16: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday said the Meghalaya government has sought permission and a clear mandate from the court to conduct another review of cases involving teachers tainted in the so-called "White Ink Scam," following the collapse of criminal proceedings against former Education Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and other respondents.

Sangma told reporters that the government is willing to re-examine the matter if judicial approval is granted. "If we are allowed to review and if there are genuine cases where people have been wrongly affected, we would be very happy to correct that," he said.
However, the Chief Minister stressed that the issue is intertwined with complex legal aspects and ongoing judicial considerations, making it impossible for the government to take a unilateral decision. "Because of the legal dimensions involved, we cannot act on our own. We will have to wait for the court's clearance," he added.
Sangma said the state government remains in regular contact with the affected teachers, who have met him on several occasions. He assured that efforts are underway to explore possible solutions and determine a way forward.
Replying to questions on the rehabilitation of the teachers, the Chief Minister said the Chief Secretary has already been asked to examine all available options and is currently working on how the government can proceed in the matter.
He reiterated that the government's actions in such cases have always been guided strictly by court directions.
Recalling earlier instances, Sangma said that during the first court-mandated review, about 140 teachers were reinstated after it was found that they were not directly involved in the alleged irregularities.
In a subsequent phase, following further judicial directions and a review conducted at the Chief Secretary's level, another four to five teachers were reinstated.
The High Court of Meghalaya, on September 4 last year, quashed the criminal proceedings against Lyngdoh and two senior Education Department officials, ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.
The controversy dates back to 2008-09, when recruitment to lower primary school teaching posts was rocked by allegations of corruption and manipulation, popularly referred to as the "White Ink Scam."
Despite the closure of the criminal case, several teachers implicated in the matter continue to carry the "tainted" tag.
The Hynniewtrep Youths' Council (HYC) had written to the Chief Minister, the Education Minister, and the Chief Secretary, urging the government to take steps to rehabilitate the affected teachers in view of the court's ruling.
"Even though legal proceedings have ended, those candidates from more than a decade and a half ago still carry the tainted label," HYC president Roy Kupar Synrem said, highlighting the continued plight of the teachers and calling for corrective measures.