Staff to function on rotation basis, scholars permitted for lab activities
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, May 6: In contravention of the guidelines issued by Ministry of Home Affairs in view of the extended lockdown because of COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir today ordered opening of all colleges and universities across the Union Territory even as class work shall remain suspended till May 30.
According to an order in this regard, the offices of Vice Chancellors, including Head of Departments and Principals of Government Degree Colleges of Higher Education Department and Principals of Polytechnic Colleges and ITIs of Technical Education Department across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall start functioning from May 6 with minimum 30 percent staff strength on rotation basis.
Besides, Principals of respective Institutions shall draw duty roster of teaching staff to start pending work of evaluation/assessment, virtual class-work, lab work, curriculum development, scholarships and other activities assigned by the Principal of their institutions.
Similarly, duty roster of non-teaching staff on rotation basis shall also be drawn to start routine official work as assigned by the controlling officer of the institution. Research Scholars have also been permitted to start their activities in the lab while strictly observing the COVID-19 protocol.
However, this order is clear violation of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines on the measures to be taken by Ministries/departments of Government of India, State/UT Governments and State/UT authorities for containment of COVID-19 in the country for the extended period of National lockdown for a further period of two weeks with effect from May 4, 2020.
As per the MHA order, number 40-3/2020-DM-I(A), dated, Ist May, 2020, all schools, colleges, educational/training coaching institutions etc come under the activities, which shall continue to remain prohibited across the country, irrespective of the Zone, for a period of two weeks with effect from May 4, 2020.
Even as online/distance learning has been permitted, no educational/training institution can function across the country till May 17, 2020, as clearly ordered by the MHA.
Pertinent to mention that as per MHA order, all schools, colleges, educational/training institutions, cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, sport complexes, entertainment parks, theatres, bars, social, political and religious gatherings, passenger movement, public transport, train, air travel etc ( except as permitted by MHA), are among the activities which continue to remain prohibited across the country till May 17, irrespective of the zone.
However, in violation of the MHA guidelines, the Government of J&K today ordered not only functioning of the offices of the Vice-Chancellors, Heads of Departments, Principals of colleges and ITIs across the Union Territory with minimum 30 percent staff strength on rotation basis but also permitted to start routine official work.
Even as the UT Government order maintains that all staff detailed for duties shall observe COVID-19 protocol issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, from time to time, particularly regular hand wash/sanitization and maintaining proper hygiene, mandatory wearing of mask, maintaining social distance etc, a number of employees of the Higher Education Department have expressed apprehensions and doubts over the safety precautions.
According to official spokesperson, Advisor to LG, K K Sharma, had held a detailed review meeting with the Principal Secretary Education and Secretary Higher Education regarding the status of preparation of online content and various Centrally Sponsored Schemes. It was suggested in the meeting that the administrative staff of all education institutions and polytechnics should be asked to resume their duties for successful implementation of CSSs and preparation of online content keeping in view the protocols set in place for COVID-19.
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