Sources say that some of the persons have replied back of the notice, stating that the DEO is not the competent authority to issue show-cause notices to them.

Iqbal Singh, President of the Punjab Education Department Ministerial Employees’ Association said: “I, along with Narender Sharma replied to the notice, stating that the DEO is not the competent authority to issue a showcause notice to us. It is the DPI (Administration) who can issue us a showcause notice as he is the appointing authority. This is in accordance with the rules of 1966.”

Joginder Azad of the Democratic Teachers’ Front said: “According to the appeal and punishment rules, only a competent authority can initiate an inquiry.”

The DEO had also sent showcause notices to some of the employees at their residential addresses. Surender Singh Grewal of the Democratic Teachers’ Front, said: “This is an undemocratic step by the DEO. She has forced us to protest against her on February 11. After the protest, we will march towards her residence.”

The DEO, Sudesh Bajaj, meanwhile, said: “I am an officer of the Education department and am responsible for the district and am competent too. I had issued showcause notices to the eight employees of the Education department and have also informed the higher authorities about this. I do not care about what these people have to say. It is the duty of teachers to teach properly and they should not indulge in activities like holding protests.”