JAMMU: For ten long years, the authority in University of Jammu has flounders to finalize the seniority list of Professors. This inordinate delay apart from raising question mark on efficacy of administration in an institution crowned with A++ grade by NAAC become cause of brewing resentment among the teaching fraternity who blamed the varsity authorities of favoritism and nepotism as the sole reason for unexpected delay in finalizing the seniority.
When JK Global News initiated exercise to dig out reason behind this arbitrary delay, the allegations start flying thick and fast against the JU administration especially its incumbent Vice Chancellor Prof. Manoj Dhar.
In the instant case, the cause of resentment among JU teaching fraternity is owing to two tentative seniority lists (the copy of which is in possession of JK Global News) –one approved with resolution by committee in 2016 while the other plagued with grave irregularities shows seniority as on 1-3-2021 sans any authorized signatory which allegedly used unofficially for official purpose to accommodate blue eyed teachers of VC coterie, reveals a senior officer of JU.
Insiders reveals that nearly 35 Professors were affected due to this shady 4th tentative seniority list in which ten Professors were placed above the aggrieved bypassing the criteria of ‘Date of Eligibility’ adopted by the Committee in its decision on 28-01-2014.
Those placed above aggrieved includes Prof.Yash Pal Sharma, Prof. Arvind Jasrotia, Prof. Alka Sharma, Prof. Satnam Kour Raina, Prof. Rahul Gupta, Prof. Hardeep Chahal, Prof.Pankaj Kumar Srivastava, Prof. Avtar Singh Jasrotia, Prof. Sanjeev Singh Sambyal and Prof. Sundeep Kumar.
As per the 4th list, all these blue eyed teachers were favoured by adopting ‘Date of joining’ as criteria for fixing seniority instead of ‘Date of eligibility’.
“In ten years, nearly 30 Professors attain superannuation in JU while waiting for confirmation of their seniority. Failure to finalize seniority list reflects the poor functioning of JU administration besides lackadaisical approach of approving authority”-told a senior Professor.
Strangely, in ten years the university authorities for reasons best known to them has notified 3 tentative seniority lists and the 4th one is doing the rounds in JU corridors. But, still the authority is beating about the bushes on fixation of final seniority, said one aggrieved Professor. This is not only a mockery of system but also reflects the capability of those occupying the responsible posts in JU administration, added a Professor.
Sharing a copy of revised seniority list as on March 1st, 2021 which is neither signed by any committee members or authorized signatory, an official of JU preferring anonymity said “This list is full of irregularities and mainly designed to adjust some blue eyed teachers bypassing seniority of others eligible teachers in JU”. This list is currently used for official purpose, he alleged.
Further elaborating the intentions of authorities behind this unconfirmed, sources said that in contradiction to own resolution and UGC guidelines, the authorities hell bent to dilute ‘Date of Eligibility’ criteria in case of those teachers which were promoted under Career Advancement Scheme (CAS) by considering ‘Date of Joining’ as criteria for fixing seniority of some blue eyed teachers who allegedly are favorite of Prof. Dhar.
Interestingly, Para 16.3 of UGC Regulations 2010 pertaining to seniority clearly states that for considering seniority, the ‘Date of Joining’ criteria is applicable in case of only Direct recruit/open case candidates, whereas, the ‘Date of eligibility’ shall remained the sole criteria for fixing seniority of university teachers promoted under CAS. It also underlines that rules and regulations of the respective Central/State government shall apply for all other matters of seniority.
As per chronology of events, vide circular No Adm/TW/12/7875-7950 dated 23-02-2012, after adoption of UGC 2010 Regulations, the JU circulated first seniority list and sought objection to it within 15 days. Consequently, a committee comprising of DAA, DFoL and AR (Adm/TW) resolved that matter pertains to both University of Kashmir as well as Jammu and recommend members from both the varsities to deliberate on finalizing seniority.
Accordingly, the V-C, JU constituted 6 members committee comprising of VC (KU), VC (JU), VC (BGSBU, Rajouri), VC (IUST, Awantipura), President JUTA and Registrar, JU –which was Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar at that time.
The committee in its meeting dated April 22nd, 2013 held in office chamber of VC, JU resolved to prepare seniority list underline four parameters in contradiction to UGC guidelines. Thereafter, the committee in its meeting dated 25th Sep, 2013 held in the chamber of KU-VC decided to seek legal opinion on the matter.
Significantly, Legal Advisor (Universities) Secretary, Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on December 26, 2013 observed that since the UGC regulations of 2010 were adopted by the University Council on October 4, 2010 and as such the regulations have to be applicable, only from such date.
“Date of eligibility under 2010 regulations have to be determined with reference to the date of adoption of these regulations. In respect of promotions made or posts advertised prior to October 4, 2010, the eligibility has to be determined as per the regulations of 2000. Therefore, promotions made pursuant to 2010 regulations cannot be given retrospective effect from the date, earlier than October 4, 2010,” reads the report of the Legal Advisor.
In the light of this legal opinion, the said committee on 28-01-2014 resolved for consideration of appropriate authority that seniority of CAS teachers be considered effective from ‘Date of Eligibility’ and not from ‘Date of Joining. Whereas, inter se seniority shall be determined on the basis of ‘Date of Joining’ in case of teachers appointed against open position.
Interestingly, the incumbent Vice Chancellor of Jammu University, Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar was also among six other signatory of this resolution as Registrar of JU at that time.
In the wake of this resolution, the Deputy Registrar (Adm/TW) of JU vide its circular No: Adm/TW/15/3949-99 dated 23-06-2015 notified 2nd seniority list as tentative and sought objections within 30 days.
Taken into considerations the genuine objections, the JU authority vide its order No Adm/TW/16/7999 dated 10-03-2016 again came with another 3rd seniority list which mockingly was again tentative. Strangely, the varsity administration again sought objection from the teachers within 30 days. This list was precisely have column with date of appointment as Professor with separate column of date of Eligibility and Date of Joining against each teachers of Jammu University. Since then, the JU authorities is in slumber over the matter.
The current V-C of JU was also remained Registrar for good length of time and was very well aware of the issue but still not able to settle the seniority list while currently serving as Vice Chancellor of JU and prefer to sit over the matters, said another Professor of JU. “How much time does the capable administrators in JU need to finalize seniority list of teachers? If their intentions are pious then what’s the reason for much unimaginable delay in this matter, question another Professor.
Clarifying on the issue on behalf of Vice Chancellor Prof. Manoj Kumar Dhar, Vinay Thusso, the official spokesperson of JU said “ The matter is under the “active consideration” of VC sahib and held Covid 19 responsible for inordinate delay in finalization of seniority list of teaching fraternity”
If Prof. Dhar fully apprised about happenings around him, he must realize that COVID arrived in India only last year in ending March whereas the seniority issue is biting dust since 2010. During your tenure as Registrar as well as V-C, instead of delivering on this long pending issue-the mater seems heading towards impasse with complicated 4th list in offing.