UDHAMPUR, Sep 27: The Jammu Kashmir Teachers’ Joint Action Committee (JKTJAC) has welcomed the resolution passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly regarding the issue of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), describing it as an encouraging step towards addressing the concerns of in-service teachers.
Addressing a press conference in Udhampur on September 27, JKTJAC UT President Vinod Sharma, on behalf of the teaching fraternity, expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Education Minister Sakina Masood Itoo and the legislators who supported the resolution.
Sharma said the move reflects an understanding of the long-pending concerns of teachers and would strengthen their confidence in the democratic process. He described the government’s action as a significant development for teachers who have been seeking resolution of issues related to their service conditions.
He also expressed special appreciation for Education Minister Sakina Itoo for her engagement with the teaching community. Sharma recalled that the minister had given assurances during JKTJAC conventions and interactions held at the Convention Centre in Jammu, Neelam Orchid Banquet Hall in Udhampur and Teachers’ Bhawan in Srinagar that genuine concerns of in-service teachers would be taken up at the appropriate level.
“Our gratitude is not merely for a resolution, but for the respect, recognition and dignity accorded to the teaching fraternity,” Sharma said.
While welcoming the Assembly resolution, JKTJAC also highlighted several other issues concerning teachers. These include the issuance of a transfer policy draft for teachers appointed under the ReT scheme, and the long-pending Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) process for promotion of teachers to the post of masters. Sharma said prolonged delays in the DPC process have resulted in stagnation, with some teachers serving for more than two decades in the same cadre.
The organisation also sought the release of pending Mid-Day Meal dues, stating that teachers have reportedly been managing expenses from their own pockets and that payments have not been released for more than eight months.
JKTJAC further raised the issue of regularisation of EVs converted into ReTs, stating that the relevant files are pending with the administrative department.
Another demand concerned implementation of the Old Pension Scheme for ReTs appointed on or before January 1, 2010, through implementation of Government Order No. 115 of 2008 and Government Order No. 469 of 2014.
The press conference was attended by Surjit Singh Chib, Senior Vice Chairman; Rajesh Singh Jamwal, Provincial President Jammu; Sham Sharma, UT Chief Finance Secretary; Sukesh Khajuria, UT Chief Press Media Secretary; Khazan Singh, Chief Coordinator; Lekh Raj Parihar, District President Udhampur; Ravinder Singh Manhas, District President Jammu; Ashok Seth, Provincial Vice President; Sandeep Sharma, UT Organiser; and several other members and office-bearers of the organisation.