Confederation seeks action
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Jan 5: The letter of Directorate of School Education Kashmir regarding the employees from three districts of Jammu posted in Kashmir Valley has created a row with various social and political organizations up in arms against the Department and demanding action against the concerned officer under law.
As per sources, the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir has dashed a letter to all Chief Education Officers (CEOs) of the Valley citing that his office has received a complaint through E mail from Youth Unions of Jammu and Kashmir stating there in that the employees belonging to a particular section of the society from three districts of Jammu are not attending their duties in Valley. The Directorate of School Education has given directives to concerned CEOs to get the matter investigated and furnish a factual report to his office within ten days for further course of action.
Though the letter has been written some time back, surprisingly the Chief Education Officer (CEO), district Anantnag while forwarding the letter to concerned Principals, Zonal Education Officer (ZEOs) and Headmasters of the district on December 28 i.e over five months of Director Education Kashmir’s letter.
The CEO Anantnag while making reference of DSE Kashmir’s letter in which it was stated that his office (DSE Kashmir) has received a complaint from J&K Youth Wing where in it has been claimed that some Scheduled Caste Library Assistants , Laboratory Assistants and teachers hailing from District Samba, Jammu and Kathua districts of Jammu region who are performing their duties in Kashmir Valley are doing some activities against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Government of J&K.
The letter further stated that these employees are doing three months service in Kashmir Valley and getting salaries for the full year with the support of Drawing Disbursing Officers (DDOs) while they are often found staying at their residences.
The CEO, while forwarding the letter to the concerned DDOs of the district asked them to provide factual report about these officials working under their control and also share with higher office if any such type of complaint has been received in the matter by them also.
The CEO has further asked these officers to send their report within two days through a special messenger.
The letter has drawn a wide spread criticism from various social and political organizations who termed its contents totally derogatory and humiliating for a community. The words used in CEO’s letter are also unconstitutional, they added and sought action against the erring officers responsible for targeting a community on basis of the cast.
Moreover, how the letter of a lesser known organization J&K Youth Wing was taken authentic by the Department without knowing that the so-called organization was trying to damage the secular fabric of the UT. Before taking action on the letter the Department was supposed to verify its authenticity.
Taking serious note of the letter, All India Confederation of SC, ST & OBC Organisations has warned agitation in case Government failed to take action against the contemptuous letter by the Education Department denigrating the employees of a particular community and region.
The president of the Confederation, R K Kalsotra has written a letter to chairperson of National Commission of Scheduled Caste as well as to Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha seeking their intervention in the matter and action against the erring officers.
The Confederation while quoting GAD Circular of 2014 dated 31-07-214 where in categorical instructions have been given to Departments that no fake and anonymous letters should be entertained. Confederation demanded that no complaint be entertained without proper identification of complainant and penalty clause provision be introduced when such complaints are found fake and anonymous.
BJP general secretary and former Minister, Dr D K Manyal said that he has also received the letter of Education Department from some people of the community and he will take up the issue with senior leadership of the party that why the name of party was dragged into it. He said the contents of the letter are also contemptuous and party has taken serious exception of the same.
Meanwhile, when contacted CEO, Anantnag, Mohammed Sharif told Excelsior he knows that these employees are punctual and perform their duties honestly and with dedication. But he had received a letter from higher office written on the basis of a complaint by some organisation and hence he sought the report from subordinate offices.
Kalsotra said it is unfortunate that higher ups in Education Department have also failed to take the cognizance of the letter and asked the officers to withdraw the same when it has been in circulation for last over five months. He said the letter has hurt the sentiments of the community.
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