Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 18: The Jammu and Kashmir Teachers’ Forum (JKTF) has expressed deep anguish over the continued neglect of teachers’ genuine service-related demands, foremost among them the non-release of the December 2025 salary.
In a statement issued to the media, the UT President of JKTF, Mohammed Ashraf Sheikh stated that thousands of teachers across Jammu Province have been deprived of their rightful monthly salary due to delays in the approval of the revised budget. He pointed out that Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) in the School Education Department are unable to generate salary bills, leaving teachers unpaid at a time when household expenses are already at their peak.
“This is not a minor administrative lapse but a grave injustice. Salaries are not a favour; they are a legal, constitutional, and moral right of employees. Forcing teachers to survive without salary due to procedural delays at higher levels is unacceptable and deeply demoralising,” he asserted.
Mr Sheikh also highlighted the alarming pendency of General Provident Fund (GPF) cases, including final settlements and advances, many of which have remained unresolved for years.
Serious concern was also raised over the non-settlement of State Life Insurance (SLI) claims, despite regular deductions from teachers’ salaries. The Forum termed this situation unjustified and questioned the accountability of the concerned authorities. “When deductions are made without fail, there can be no excuse for withholding benefits when employees need them the most,” Mr Sheikh stated.
JKTF General Secretary, Mir Bashir Ahmad also expressed serious concern over the plights of teachers who are facing serious difficulties in managing household expenses, medical needs, and other essential commitments due to the unjustified delay in salary disbursement.
Mir Bashir further clarified that it has now been conveyed that the required budget is likely to be released on 19th January (Monday) or 20th January (Tuesday). However, as per existing treasury norms, salary bills are not accepted after the 15th of the month, which may further delay the drawal of salaries despite the availability of funds, he feared.
In view of this exceptional situation, Mir Bashir has strongly appealed to the Director General Treasuries Fayaz Ahmad Lone to issue special directions to all treasuries in the Jammu Division to accept salary bills beyond the stipulated date and ensure immediate drawal and disbursement of December salary to teachers.
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