Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 9: J&K ICDS Supervisors Union has alleged severe stagnation and non-payment of their salaries for months together besides pay anomalies existing in the cadre.
Addressing a joint press conference here today, Mohd Gafoor Dar, president J&K National Trade Union Front and Abida Hassan, president J&K ICDS Supervisors Union alleged that great injustice has been meted out to nearly 1020 Supervisors working in over 140 ICDS projects, in Social Welfare Department. They said massive stagnation is prevailing in the cadre as many supervisors were appointed on the same cadre and also retire at the same post. They said there was no promotion for the last 25 to 30 years and higher officials have never bothered to look into the matter. The Supervisors are demanding removal of pay anomalies and grade at par with ‘Mukhya Sevika’ (5000-8000 pre-revised grade) as per the guidelines of the Central Government, but nothing has been done despite representation to the Commissioner Secretary and the Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo.
They further demanded release of pay dues of the Supervisors and other staff working in the ICDS projects in the State, fixation of TA for the Supervisors because they are not paid the same despite the fact that they are performing field job. Where does this amount go is well known to some key officials in the department. Some times a portion of TA is released in their favour on the sweet will of the seniors. Abida pointed out that there were over 26000 Aanganwadi Centres in the State and the workers/ employees including CDPO, Supervisors, Anganwadi Workers, Helpers and clerical staff is facing lot of problems due to non-payment of their wages. She urged the Government to ensure regular payment of their salary well in time. She also accorded support of the Union to the five day strike programme announced by JCC from February 19 to 23.
Vice presidents Shakila Bhat and Nageena Akhtar and general secretary Ashok Singh were also present. They warned to resort to the agitational path if their demands are not met.