IGNOU, other distance studies for non- engineering staff of R&B not banned: Govt clarifies

Principal Secretary clarifies recently issued order, says new norms meant for engineering cadre alone

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday clarified on its recently issued order pertaining to norms for processing of higher studies by the employees of R&B department and inclusion in the seniority list thereof.On para 09 of the government order in question having No: 81-PW (R&B) of 2020, Dated: 16-02-2021, it was stated that “no permission for part time / correspondence/ distance study shall be granted.”In the backdrop of the sentence, various wings of the R&B had rejected the pleas of its employees who were studying or intending to study various courses through distance mode of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) or other universities offering courses through distant mode.As the non- engineering and even clerical staff working in various wings of the R&B department in both Jammu as well as in Kashmir valley, who wanted to add to their knowledge and skills, intimated their respective administrative heads that they intend to seek admission in various courses of IGNOU, their applications were rejected on the pretext of the said government order issued recently by the R&B department.When contacted, Principal Secretary to Government, R&B Department, Shalindra Kumar told that the said government order only and only pertains to the engineering cadre of Jammu and Kashmir and not to non- engineering staff of R&B.Meanwhile, sources within the government divulged that action against the erring head of the departments will be taken who tried to create confusion about the said government order and rejected applications to their staffers while giving reference to this government order.“Those HODs are either ignorant about the rules or are trying to deliberately create confusion within the administration. The government order No 81-PW (R&B) of 2020, Dated: 16-02-2021 has clearly mentioned it as the study leave rules for engineering cadre and degrees related to B.E and B-TECH. It has come to the notice of the government that applications of non- engineering staff were rejected by various HODs. Action will be taken against them for misrepresenting the order and creating confusions about it,” official sources said.