Agriculture Technocrats highlight demands

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 27: Jammu and Kashmir Agriculture Technocrats Association (JKATA) today held its monthly meeting, which was presided over by President JKATA, Dr Surinder Radotra.
The meet discussed several burning issues and demands, which include conduct of DPC for promotion of AEAs to JAEO, regularising incharge JAEO as confirmed JAEO in both regions, restoration of Old Pension Scheme etc.
Demanding the restoration of old pension schemes for the cadre, Dr Radotra reminded that these Agriculture Technocrats were initially recruited as Rehbar-e-Zirat in the year 2007 and had completed three years of their service in the year 2010 when the New Pension Scheme was implemented for the fresh recruits. Therefore, he added, they are entitled for grant of pension under the Old Pension Scheme in terms of provisions of amended SRO-400 dated 24-12-2009.
“Therefore, we may be immediately shifted from the New Pension Scheme to the scheme of Old Pension as similar benefits were given to the teachers recruited under the ‘Rehbar-e-Taleem Scheme,” he said.
Radotra also demanded to include period of seven years of ReZ as period of regular service on the analogy of ReTs, who have already been benefited. “Since maximum Agriculture Technocrats have already crossed 45 years of age and length of their service left is very less, the inclusion of our 7, 8 & 9 years of service as ReZ should be considered to secure their future and to address this human cause with a healing touch,” he said.
President of the Association also demanded regularization of JAEOs and sought a common seniority list at UT Level. He urged Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) Agriculture Productions Department to personally intervene for redressal of grievances of the Agriculture Technocrats.