Srinagar, July 21: The non- teaching employees of the National Institute of Technology (NIT) on Saturday observed a pen down/tool strike against “illegal appointment of registrar, deputy registrar (accounts) and deputy registrar (administration)."
 On Friday, thirty eight non-teaching employees of the NIT had submitted their resignations to the Director as a mark of protest. “From today onwards we have decided to go on pen /tool down strike till the NIT management orders removal of registrar, who is a retired government employee and has been getting extension after extension. And deputy registrar (Administration) who is on deputation from J&K NHPC,” President, NTEA, Er Muhammad Shafi Wani said.
 “In past also we raised over voice against these illegal appointments, but at that time we were given assurances that these officials will be removed from their positions. But ironically so far nothing has been done in this regard,” Wani said adding that: “We had no other option but to go on strike to stop the re-employment of retired persons as a rehabilitation. Re- employment of retired persons mars the job opportunities of educated youth whose number has swelled over 6 lakh in JK.”
 The NTEA has many times discussed the issue of “illegal appointments” with the board of Governor and also with Director NIT. “We were assured action but nothing happened,” he said adding but we have exempted few sections from the strike as admission process for new batch is currently in progress.
 Ghulam Nabi Lolpuri, a NIT employee said: “It is height of injustice for last two years we are seeking removal of these persons, but the management turned deaf ear to our pleas. As a result 38 non teaching employees had submitted their resignations to the Director.”
 He said: “There is no rule whatsoever which allows a retired person to be appointed against any statutory position or against a post with financial / administrative designations, but here positions of registrar have financial and administrative designations.”
  The NTEA has given one week ultimatum to the management to either remove these officials or they would resign enmasse.” 
 Pertinently, in April this year, the Director constituted a committee of four senior faculty members headed by Prof M A Lone, HOD Civil Engineering Department to find ‘root cause’ of the protests observed by NTEA. The committee was asked to submit its findings and remedial measures for smooth functioning of the institute.
 But according to employees no action was taken by the management on the recommendations given by the committee and they allege that instead fresh “illegal approval” has been sought for extension of these persons.
 However, an official wishing not to be named said: “We are currently holding deliberations with the agitating employees and we have asked for some time to solve their issues. Hopefully things will be normal soon.
 ”He said: “We have assured them that the recommendations of the committee headed by M A Lone will be implemented.”

Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST