Sir,
This has reference to the editorial ‘A progressive decision'(DE, Oct 12, 2016).It is heartening to read that the Government of J&K State has decided to exempt furnishing of affidavit for various services pertaining to the education sector such as issuance of duplicate marks certificate, issuance of duplicate diploma certificate, grant of provisional admission in classes 11th and 12th to students who migrate from other Boards to JKBOSE, duplicate interstate migration certificate and other such services etc.
The Government has also provided relief to the teachers and lecturers by doing away with the process of furnishing affidavits by teachers for services such as interprovince/inter district services, pursuing higher studies by inservice teachers and lecturers, reinbursement of medical claims, recognition/extension of private educational institutions, etc. It is a common experience that students and teachers are asked by the authorities to produce affidavits for various services despite the fact that the record pertaining to the student lies with the concerned office and same can be ascertained without much labour.Consequently, both the teachers and the students can be provided the required service without putting them to much inconvenience. They have to buy a stamp paper, get the affidavit typed and then get it attested by the notary or other competent authority such as first class magistrate or judicial magistrate. Thus, they had to pass through a harrowing experience involving time, effort and finance.
This landmark decision of the Government will go a long way in reducing the inconvenience of the students and the teachers. The need of the hour is to ensure that it is implemented in letter and spirit. Only some time ago, candidates applying for the post of constables in BSF or as SPOs had to face a tough time to get their photograph and photocopies of their documents attested despite the decision of the Central and the State Government to abolish attestation by the gazetted officer and implementing self attestation.The editorial has rightly pleaded for constituting departmental committees to identify and abolish outdated rules and regulations, which have become irrelevant in the modern times and replace them by progressive rules and regulations in accordance with their need and utility in the present times.The Government ought to take measures to ensure that the practice of self attestation is implemented strictly to avoid avoidable harrasment to the students and youth as those who self attest false information can be prosecuted under law.
Yours etc….
Ankit Sharma
Udhampur
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