Government is all set to formulate afresh J&K Academy of Art Cultural and Language (JKAACL) under Reorganization Act, 2019.
Insiders said over 100 posts including many key positions are still vacant which has become a stumbling block in the daily working of the Academy. An autonomous body of J&K, the Academy was working under the constitution of J&K which now does not exist anymore after August 5, 2019.
“The proposal is with the Government to formulate new regulations to run daily affairs of the Academy. It is to be decided whether to make it department, company, society or to bifurcate it into three academies i.e., Art Academy, Culture Academy and Languages Academy on the pattern of Central Government. As long as Government does not take any step in it, we cannot do anything,” a senior functionary told Greater Kashmir when asked for reasons of large numbers of vacant posts, and hampering of daily working.
The officer said: “Technically, the Academy does not exist after August 5 and as on date, there is no committee. However, the proposal is with the Government to reshape Academy afresh under Reorganization Act. The Government will take its own time to decide.”
“The day when we will have new infrastructure, a new Secretary Academy, Committees will be reconstituted and the process for filling up of vacant posts will also start and officials will also get postings in various departments of the Academy. The Academy will resume its smooth working accordingly,” said the official. In absence of permanent Secretary, Director, Archives, Archaeology and Museums, J&K, Muneer-ul-Islam is holding additional charge of Secretary Academy.
Confronting many issues from within, the Academy officials told Greater Kashmir that: There are over 100 vacant posts including many key positions in J&K which is hampering its proper functioning after promotion at different levels did not happen. Several employees/officials also approached the court and they got to stay orders and hence, the Academy became helpless to do anything.” The officials said: “The infighting between the officials has led to complaints and counter-complaints while issues are being investigated by different investigating agencies, too.”
Out of total staff strength 260 posts, the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages have more than 100 vacant posts though the institute works on seven major languages of the Union Territory i.e., Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Gojri, Pahari, Punjabi, and Hindi, besides, promoting art and culture including performing visual and performing art.
Earlier, the Academy used to have a calendar of activities for the entire week. But the working has been hampered due to various reasons.