GAD returns RDD’s file seeking regularization of CIC operators

Irfan Tramboo

Srinagar, July 3: The file for the regularization of CIC operators in J&K lying with the General Administration Department (GAD) has been returned to the Rural Development Department (RDD) asking it to put the cases of regularization of 172 CIC operators before the Government’s Establishment cum Selection Committee (ESC).

The process of putting the cases before the Committee is again going to be time-consuming while the file has been returned to the RDD for the fourth time since 2017.

After the file of the regularization was earlier submitted by the RDD, at the first, the GAD sought a legal opinion from the Department of Law. Once that was done, in the second instance, the GAD sought another legal opinion from the Advocate General of Jammu & Kashmir-which was submitted as well.

Then, in the third instance, again the file was submitted to the Finance Department for review of its concurrence, but Finance Department reiterated its previous concurrence which was in the favour of the CIC workers.

At last, in the fourth instance since 2017, finally, the RDD has been advised by the GAD to put the cases of the CIC Operators before the Establishment & Selection Committee of Jammu & Kashmir.

“The process will take years altogether and almost all the incumbents have crossed the age of 45 years and above; 172 posts data entry operators were created by GAD in 2016 and also the cases were cleared by the Empowered Committee of J&K Govt. in 2017,” one of CIC operators told EXCELSIOR.

It is to be noted here that around 172 CIC Operators working in Rural Development Department in UT of J&K are having degrees like MCA, M Tech, MSc.IT, B.E and B.Tech in their kitties.

The Operators are currently handling the online work of departmental portals like e-gram-swaraj, SBM, PMAY, Peoples Plan Campaign (Sabki Yojna Sabka Vikaas), GPDP, Mission Antyodaya, PFMS and other e-Governance related activities.  Besides other office assignments such as elections, Establishment, Accounts, works etc. at Block/ District /Directorate /Secretariat level.

Also, the appointments of the CIC Operators were earlier made through the open competition after proper advertisement in the year 2003-04. After that, their recruitment has been made on a merit basis through proper recruitment procedure through District Level Appointment Committee constituted by the Government of J&K headed by Deputy Commissioners of concerned District in the year 2003-04.

Pertinent to mention here, these 172 CIC Operators are currently working on a contractual basis since 2004 and are getting a salary amount of Rs 10,000/- per month which the workers termed as ‘peanuts,’ seeking the LG’s intervention in the matter.