Aazan Manzoor
Srinagar, Jun 19 (JKNS): Assistant Professors from Jammu and Kashmir’s Higher Education Department (HED) have raised concern over the delay in their long-pending placement from Grade Pay 6000 to 7000, saying the issue has remained unresolved for years despite repeated representations.
The aggrieved faculty members told news agency JKNS that the affected lot comprises Assistant Professors recruited during 2016-17, including a large number of PhD holders, who became eligible for placement under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) several years ago.
They said the placement was due between 2020 and 2021 but has not been granted so far, resulting in stagnation in their career progression and financial benefits. The faculty members stated that the delay has also impacted their eligibility for subsequent placements, as further career advancement is linked to the completion of the first placement.
According to the faculty members, the placement file had already cleared various procedural levels and had reached the administrative department. They claimed that remarks had been sought on the matter, but the process remained pending thereafter, prolonging uncertainty among the affected faculty members.
The Assistant Professors said the delay has left many eligible faculty members waiting for benefits that became due years ago. They urged the Higher Education Department to expedite the process and ensure timely disposal of all pending cases.
When contacted, Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education Department, Ram Niwas Sharma, told JKNS that 787 placement cases are currently under process.
He said the department had sought details regarding the financial implications involved in the proposal and that the exercise has since been completed.
“The financial implications were asked for and have been worked out by the Director Finance. The file has been submitted to the Special Secretary and will be done soon,” Sharma told JKNS. (JKNS)
