Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 1: Amar Nath Thakur, Chairman, Public Welfare Forum, called on the Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo and submitted a memorandum highlighting several burning public-related issues.
The main demands raised included that 4,200 posts of Lecturers and about 12,000 posts of Masters and Teachers are lying vacant in schools across the Union Territory. Educational institutions in remote areas, from primary to higher secondary level, are facing acute shortage of staff, which is seriously jeopardising the future of students belonging to poor and far-flung regions.
The Forum demanded that teaching staff be appointed on the Rehbar-e-Taleem pattern, with regularisation after seven years, and that CRCs be appointed in all higher secondary schools on priority before April 2026. It was cautioned that parents may stop sending their children to schools if the required staff is not provided.
The memorandum also highlighted the alarming condition of the health sector, stating that almost all Public Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), new type PHCs, and Sub-District Hospitals are functioning without adequate staff, buildings, and equipment, particularly in the remote areas of Bani, Billawar, and Basohli constituencies, as well as other far-flung areas of JKUT. The Forum demanded immediate appointment of medical staff to ensure proper healthcare facilities for the people.
Further, it was pointed out that several departments including Revenue, Forest, Food & Civil Supplies, and PHE are facing serious problems due to shortage of staff. In the interest of public welfare and speedy justice, it was demanded that all vacant posts be filled on a regular basis.
The issue of one-time regularisation of remaining 2,000 In-charge Lecturers under Order No. 115-GAD of 2019 dated 23-01-2019 was also raised.
The Chief Secretary listened to the demands sympathetically and directed the concerned departments to take up the issues with the School Education Department and other concerned departments. The demands were also discussed with the Deputy Secretary to the Chief Secretary, who assured necessary action.
Earlier, the Chairman also called on the Special Secretary, School Education Department, and discussed the long-pending issue of regularisation of In-charge Lecturers.
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