Demands early promotions, ReT transfer policy, hard-zone incentives, MDM rate revision, OPS restoration
JAMMU, Oct 19: The Jammu and Kashmir Teachers Forum (JKTF) has urged the government to resolve several long-pending service-related issues affecting teachers and other employees, including delayed promotions, a comprehensive transfer policy for Rehbar-e-Taleem (ReT) teachers, transparent implementation of the Annual Transfer Drive (ATD), exemption from the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for eligible in-service teachers, special incentives for hard-zone postings, revision of Mid-Day Meal (MDM) rates and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for eligible employees.
The demands were discussed during a virtual meeting held under the leadership of UT President Mohammed Ashraf Sheikh and organised by Provincial President Jammu Gulshan Sharma. Senior office-bearers and district representatives participated in the deliberations and highlighted issues concerning teachers’ career progression, service conditions and professional welfare across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Forum expressed concern over the delay in convening Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) for the promotion of Teachers to Masters, stating that the process had reportedly remained pending for nearly a year. It also sought early consideration of eligible PG Masters and Teachers for promotion to Lecturer posts to ensure timely career advancement. The Forum further demanded the clearance of pending vigilance verification cases for employees awaiting time-bound promotion under Category C-II.
On transfer-related matters, JKTF called for a comprehensive and transparent transfer policy for ReT teachers, taking into account length of service, genuine medical grounds, family circumstances and difficult working conditions. It also sought the fair implementation of the Annual Transfer Drive for Teachers and Masters in accordance with established norms.
The Forum raised concerns over pending one-time exemption cases, including those relating to BA qualifications, and called for their timely examination under applicable rules. It also advocated extending the prescribed deadline wherever necessary to enable eligible teachers who had missed the stipulated period to avail themselves of the provision. Regarding the Teacher Eligibility Test, JKTF reiterated its demand for exemption for eligible in-service teachers, particularly those not covered under the existing government resolution, while urging the authorities to examine the matter in accordance with applicable legal provisions.
The meeting also stressed the need to provide opportunities for in-service teachers who have not acquired B.Ed. qualifications to pursue the course through IGNOU or another recognised institution, subject to prescribed eligibility criteria and applicable rules.
Highlighting the challenges faced by employees working in remote and difficult geographical areas, JKTF demanded special incentives for those posted in hard zones and other hardship-prone locations. The Forum maintained that appropriate benefits should be considered in recognition of the difficult working conditions and challenges associated with such postings.
The Forum also sought a revision of Mid-Day Meal rates in view of rising market prices and the increasing cost of essential food items. It called for an appropriate enhancement of the prescribed rates to ensure that students receive adequate and nutritious meals. JKTF further demanded the clearance of outstanding MDM liabilities to ensure the smooth implementation of the scheme in schools.
Other issues discussed included the long-pending conversion of Grade III posts to Grade II and the rationalisation of school timings in winter-zone areas of Jammu Division. The Forum urged the authorities to settle eligible conversion cases promptly and adjust school timings according to prevailing weather conditions, geographical realities and the safety of students and staff.
Reiterating its commitment to pension security, JKTF supported the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for eligible in-service employees covered under the National Pension System (NPS). It stated that a secure and dignified retirement remained an important concern for employees and their families.
Addressing the meeting, UT President Mohammed Ashraf Sheikh said teachers played a vital role in strengthening the education system and that their genuine service-related concerns deserved due consideration. He emphasised that timely promotions, transparent transfer policies, fair service conditions, professional development opportunities, hard-zone incentives and pension security were essential for protecting teachers’ morale and dignity. He added that JKTF would continue to represent the concerns of the teaching fraternity before the competent authorities and pursue their resolution through constructive dialogue.
Provincial President Jammu Gulshan Sharma stressed the need for effective coordination among the Forum’s leadership, district representatives and concerned departments to ensure that teachers’ issues from different areas were properly represented and addressed.
The meeting was attended by Senior Vice President Rafaquit Hussain Malik, Additional General Secretary Aakash Kashyap, Senior Vice Chairman Mohd Mahroof, Vice Presidents Mehmood-ul-Rayaz Bhat and Sanjeet Sharma, Convenor Lokesh Sharma, Secretary Raman Kumar Sharma, Publicity Secretary Jalil Ahmed, Spokesperson Joginder Singh, Advisor Neetan Kalyan, Organiser Ghulam Murtaza Khan, Provincial Senior Vice President Nasir Ahmed Mir, Provincial Spokesperson Kamlesh Kumari, Provincial Secretaries Sadiq Poswal and Vinod Sharma, Provincial Chief Coordinator Sahil Bharti, and Provincial Vice Presidents Shilpa Devi, Mohd Rayaz and Amarjeet Singh.
District representatives included Rail Singh, District President Reasi; Bhupinder Singh, District President Kathua; Aakash Bharti, District President Udhampur; Nasir-ul-Haq Bhat, District President Ramban; Mohd Amin, District President Doda; Imtiyaz-ul-Haq, District President Kishtwar; Satnam Singh, District President Rajouri; Shahbaz Akbar Khan, District President Poonch; Ferdous Choudhary, District President Samba; and Ali Akbar, District President Jammu, among others.
The Forum urged the government and the School Education Department to take concrete steps towards resolving these long-pending issues through appropriate policy decisions and administrative interventions. It maintained that addressing the genuine concerns of teachers and other employees would contribute to a better working environment in schools and strengthen the overall education system.