Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 19: High Court today stayed termination of casual/contractual staff engaged in Human Genetic Research-cum-Counseling Centre, University of Jammu and issued notices to Department of Science & Technology, Registrar University of Jammu and others.
J&K Science, Technology & Innovation Council was created in 1986 by Planning & Development Department Vide Government Order No. 200 – GR (PD) of 1986 dated 14.08.1986 to indentify and co-ordinate the activities and make effective use of existing voluntary agencies, educational institutions, R&D institutions engaged in promotion and demonstration work in the field of S&T within the State of J& K, in order to promote generation and application of Science & Technology.
Accordingly, Vide Government Order dated 09.03.1986, sanction was accorded to the setting up of a Genetic Counseling Centre by the State Council for Science & Technology. Government accorded sanction to the Up-gradation of existing Human Genetic Research-cum-Counseling Centre (HGRCC) Jammu to an Advanced Centre for Human Genetic Research-cum-Counseling Centre (HGRCC) Jammu University, Jammu, at a total cost of Rs 6.50 crore.
Advocate DS Chouhan, appearing for the casual/contractual staff, submitted that the order dated 10.09.2015, whereby, the services of the petitioners, were ordered to be disengaged with effect from July 31, 2015, on the ground that no extension has been received from the funding agency, is obsolete and arbitrary.
“The stoppage of grant from the Department of Science & Technology, could not have been made a ground for disengaging the services of petitioners in view of fact that Vide Government Order No. 37 – ST of 2006 dated 22.11.2006 sanction to up-gradation of Human Genetic Research-cum-Counseling Centre to an Advanced Centre for Human Genetic Research-cum-Counseling Centre at Jammu University at a cost of Rs 6.58 crore was subject to condition that J&K State Science & Technology Council shall continue to be the coordinating-cum-sponsored agency”, he said, adding “however, the Jammu University shall have to take over the Centre fully on its resources once the State and Central assistance ceases under the project”.
“In view of the categorical provisions as contained in Government Order whereof the grant-in-aid was received and utilized by the University of Jammu, it becomes incumbent upon the University of Jammu to take over the Human Genetic Research-cum-Counseling Centre, on its own resources to ensure the sustainability of the same”, Advocate Chauhan said, adding “the State must act as a model employer. It cannot take advantage of the need of petitioners, who do not possess any real choice in the matter of employment due to economic compulsions”.
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