Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 20: A deputation of J&K Graduate Promotee Agriculture Officers Association (JKGPAOA) led by its acting president Ragbir Anthal appeared in first meeting of Service Grievances Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of KK Sharma, Advisor to Governor and pleaded for one time settlement of more than three decades long pending promotion and finalization of seniority in Class-VII of gazetted cadre.
In threadbare discussion, JKGPAOA pin pointed that their quota has been encroached by the direct recruits repeatedly to which the strength of direct recruits appointed pre and post 1988 rule is 642.
JKGPAOA stressed on the unfair means adopted in the breach of law to appoint recruits through PSC and quoted that against 34 vacancies referred by Agriculture Department, PSC has selected 74 candidates. The Agriculture Department in blunder over rule operated expired selection list and appointed all 74 selected candidates in two years w.e.f 1989 to 1991 which clearly indicates that Agriculture Department did not apply mind in human resource management and had played with the future of thousands.
JKGPAOA unveiled the mind boggling fact that in more that three decades, against 642 direct recruits only 67 VEWs/JAAs/JAEOs have been promoted to Class-VII of gazetted cadre. Whereas the strength of VEWs/JAAs/JAEOs should have been more than that of direct recruits as per their share of 50 and 80 per cent time to time.
JKGPAOA added that promotees have fallen prey to grave injustice and infact their fundamental right of promotion as per rule has been badly delayed which needs to be looked on the grounds mentioned in its detailed representation at the earliest.
JKGPAOA criticized that Agriculture Department putting aside all norms and rule, nurtured culture of temporary promotions and multi post charge to one officer on pick and choose basis for decades together which is one of the significant reasons of non conduction of DPC for more than 30 years and needs to be stopped at once.
Chairman and his eminent team members gave patient hearing to the deputation.
The Service Grievance Committee Members also convinced the Chairman about solution proposed by JKGPAOA. Chairman conveyed that JKGPAOA will be called again shortly to discuss the issue as per solution proposed in the representation during next meeting in which Manzoor Ahmed Lone, Secretary Horticulture/ Agriculture will also be called to participate.
Prominent members of association who appeared in Service Grievances Committee hearing were Member Advisory Council Sanjay Dhar, AK Dhar, PS Mastana, Prem Singh General Secretary, Rajesh Mankotia, Sanjay Moza, Neeraj Sharma, VK Johar, Rohit Gandotra. Jatinder Singh and Kesar Durani.