JKTF Appeals to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Ministers and MLAs to Restore Hope, Justice and Fairness for Education Department Employees and Students

Srinagar ,1st Feb : JKTF Chairman, Shri Showkat Ali Beigh, has expressed deep concern over the long-pending financial and service-related issues of employees in the School Education Department. He appealed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Omar Abdullah Sahib, along with all Ministers and MLAs, to personally intervene during the forthcoming Budget Session and ensure immediate resolution of matters including regularization of Aayas, Data Entry Operators, Cooks, CPWs, ZGCs, Vocational Trainers, Seasonal Teachers, NYCs and REKs, rectification of Master Grade pay anomalies, release of pending financial benefits, confirmation of In-charge Lecturers, Masters, Headmasters, ZEOs, and Principals, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, timely payment of GPF contributions and medical reimbursements from treasuries, and provision of scholarships for students, particularly orphans and downtrodden.

The entire JKTF leadership, from Zonal to UT level, stands united in this appeal, highlighting that employees have served tirelessly for decades, often sacrificing personal comfort and security to ensure the smooth functioning of the education system.

Foremost among the unresolved issues is the long-pending regularization of Aayas, Data Entry Operators, Cooks, CPWs, ZGCs, Vocational Trainers, Seasonal Teachers, NYCs, and REKs, who continue to work without job security, fair wages, or other admissible benefits.Their regularization and full entitlements are matters of justice and demand urgent policy and budgetary attention.

Employees are also facing severe financial distress, including chronic delays in disbursement of salaries and honorariums, non-payment of arrears, denial of DA, TA, and other admissible allowances, and non-payment of GPF contributions and medical reimbursements from treasuries. These irregularities have deeply eroded the economic stability and morale of employees.

The unresolved pay anomaly of Master Grade teachers continues to cause resentment. Despite higher academic and administrative responsibilities, Master Grade teachers suffer due to irrational pay disparities, incorrect pay fixation, and denial of rightful financial upgradation. Immediate rectification along with release of consequential arrears is long overdue.

Another serious concern is the continued reliance on In-charge arrangements. In-charge Lecturers, Masters, Headmasters, ZEOs and Principals have been discharging full responsibilities for years without formal confirmation, commensurate financial benefits, or administrative authority.

_Further, the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) remains a matter of grave concern. The New Pension Scheme has failed to provide social and financial security after retirement, creating widespread anxiety about the future of employees.

JKTF also emphasizes the urgent need for scholarships and educational support for students, particularly orphans and downtrodden children, to ensure that no child is left behind due to financial hardship and that every student has the opportunity to pursue quality education.

Provincial President JKTF, Irfan Nazir, said that these demands are not merely administrative files or budget figures, but matters of survival, dignity, and justice for thousands of families. He emphasized that Aayas, Data Entry Operators, Cooks, CPWs, ZGCs, Vocational Trainers, Seasonal Teachers, NYCs, and REKs have dedicated their entire lives to the education system, often sacrificing personal comfort for the education of children. Appealing with folded hands, he appealed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Ministers, and MLAs to hear the silent pain of employees, protect their old age through pension security, restore hope through fair pay, regularization, other admissible benefits, and provide scholarships for deserving students, ensuring that those who serve and those they educate are not left unheard or forgotten.

JKTF reiterates its humble appeal to all Ministers, MLAs, and the Hon’ble Chief Minister to take immediate, concrete, and time-bound steps to restore hope, financial security, dignity, and educational opportunities to the thousands of employees and students who form the backbone of Jammu & Kashmir’s education system.