Prof S.K.Bhalla
There is a deep malaise prevailing in the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Department which is headed by an IRS officer on deputation Mr. Alok Kumar. Under his stewardship, the HED bragged of introducing Annual Transfer Drive (ATD) through a portal for eradicating corruption, favouritism and nepotism.
However, there are glaring instances of buckling under pressure to accomodate a few influential teachers who are projected as heart and soul of the colleges functioning by a few faceless Principals who support themselves on crutches and encouraging a breed of young teachers who actively are engaged in business enterprises which is a conflict of interest.
It is reliably learnt from insiders that a clutch of teachers who have earned mastery in broaching purchases have been accomodated dexterously to their favourite old fiefdoms despite their transfers to other Government Degree Colleges. Yes it is in the much touted “in the interest of administration”.
Sacrificing the interest of students, in an order of its own kind to earn Divine blessings from Bahu Fort Temple, one teaching faculty member shall be serving under two masters -thrice a week at GCW, Parade and rest of three working days at GDC, Udhampur. Hats off to HED for such a path breaking excercise which may be emulated by others too.
This mess doesn’t end here as there are reports that two most GENIUS teachers have been accomodated under the garb of deputation to non teaching assignments at Cluster University , Jammu whereas, they are posted in two different GDC’s in two districts. Without the duo, the CLUJ will collapse like a house of cards claim their God father’s in HED.
The genesis of this malady can be traced to inherent weakness of a few college teachers to loll on the sofas of Principal chambers endlessly skipping their assigned duties to the detriment of our students. This is despicable state of affairs prevailing among a few requiring an educational surgical strike. Govt teachers are recruited with hefty salaries for quality teaching and not for education circus by remaining snuggled in the Principal chamber for undue favors in petty assignments for a few bucks and skipping classes.
This pandemic has spread its tentacles in non teaching transfers of HED in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory. It is a matter of satisfaction that after huge media exposures that one bedecked Ish Bharti who manipulated deputation to CLUJ was shunted out by no nonsense new Director Colleges.
Since there is a stain on HED, it is hoped that the authorities shall initiate remedial measures to stem the rot by way of confining teachers to teaching assignments only by segregating them from purchase related matters which is the domain and expertise of only accounts section. Sooner this is implemented, the better it shall be else many enquires of alleged financial irregularities on the analogy of GDC, Rajouri shall keep on haunting the college teachers in near future. A note of caution. Last but not the least- instead of yesmen appoint clear headed and persons of sterling qualities as Principals atleast in Prime GDCs’.