Srinagar, Feb 28: The fate of more than 4000 teachers and masters working as in charge lecturers, headmasters and principals in the state education department hangs in balance as they are still awaiting confirmation.
According to the in charge lectures, they had been promoted by the department from time to time as lecturers, headmasters and principals; and in many cases as chief education officers, zonal education officers, but were never confirmed.
“Since 1998, none of the promotees have been confirmed as a result of which their number has swelled to more than 4000. And a large number of employees have already retired from the services during the past 12 years,” said H U Qureshi, president J&K Lecturers’ Forum.
He said the promotees were “denied the dues of the posts they were holding at present.” “We work as lectures and headmasters, but we are being denied the dues of these posts,” he said.
On attaining the age of superannuation, they said, employees were also being denied the pension benefits. “We approached the accountant general’s office, but we were told that we are not eligible for the pension benefits because of non-confirmation,” they said.
A state level delegation of the lecturers’ Forum met chief minister, Omar Abdullah, a few months back in this connection. “He assured us that all the in charge lectures and headmasters would be confirmed. He said that he would get our confirmation cleared during the cabinet meeting. But till now nothing has been done.”
Sources said the file was presently pending with the state law ministry which had been asked to get a legal view point on the confirmation of these lecturers. “There file is pending with the ministry for the past around two months,” they said.
Secretary, higher education, G A Peer, when contacted said that department was awaiting response from the Law ministry.
“We are waiting for a response before any further action in the case,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 1 Mar 2010 00:00:00 IST