JAMMU: The first ever transfers list of college principals issued by Secretary, Sushma Chuhan after assuming charge of Higher Education Department seven months ago have mired into controversy over allegations of favoritism in adjustment of influential teachers in city colleges ignoring the seniors serving in far flung areas.
Stating that recent shuffling of college principals in Jammu region lacks logic and rationale, one professor of English posted in Pir Panjal range wishing anonymity said “Standard of education will always remained at its lowest ebb in colleges when senior most Principals are shunted to far flung areas merely to accommodate a close acquaintance of one senior IPS officer with kitchen posting at the recommendation of one senior bureaucrat holding rank of Principal Secretary”
For controversy surrounding recent transfers list of college principals, reliable sources also blamed one Pankaj Kumar posted in Higher Education Department since his appointment in government service a decade ago. Aggrieved teachers in HED urged the secretary to investigate role of Pankaj Kumar in transfer industry besides the reasons which allowed his continuance for a decade at one place.
“A glance at the transfers list evidently shows it was prepared by some lower officials by keeping the upright and honest Secretary HED in dark” avers one principal on condition of anonymity.
Vide order No 295-JK (HE) of 2021 dated 28-9-2021 issued by Secretary HED, Principal GDC Doda Prof. Shafqat Hussain Rafiqui was prematurely shunted to far flung areas of Doda in Chatroo to adjust Prof. Attar Singh who was prematurely shifted as principal from GDC, Nagrota to accommodate new in charge Principal Prof. Nalini Pathania. Strangely, Prof. Shafqat is a confirmed principal who is about to retire next year and was already serving in Doda as Principal far away from his home town Bhaderwah.
Similarly, Prof. Sunil Uppal and Prof. G. S. Rakwal swapped their place of postings as Principal Govt. MAM College, Jammu and GDC, R.S.Pura respectively. Both of them too transferred prematurely. Perhaps, in the entire list, only justice was done with Prof. Rakwal who was transferred prematurely within six months of his posting as Principal MAM College to GDC R.S.Pura to adjust close favorite of bureaucrats Prof. Uppal.
Interestingly, Prof. Hans Raj reported to be brother in law of Pankaj Kumar who handles transfer related matters of HED in Secretariat was too prematurely transfer from GDC Khour and favored with posting in GDC, Kunjwani which was lying headless for 2 months after retirement of Principal Prof. Ganjoo on 31st July.
Citing case of Prof. Uppal, Prof. Hans Raj as well as Prof. Nalini Pathania who are juniors as well as non PhD, one of the principal while questioning the rationale of criteria based upon which the Principals in Jammu region were transferred, said that aspirations of those eagerly waiting for home postings after serving in far flung areas have been marred by the those enjoying close proximity in corridors of powers.
Disclosing that Prof. Uppal was posted in GDC Doongi in April 2020 from where within 15 days he was transferred to GDC Bhillawar. Then again in 3 months he was transferred to GDC Samba from where he subsequently managed postings within 6 months as Principal MAM College in Jan 2021 by replacing confirmed and upright Principal Prof. Rakwal. Following controversy over alleged misuse use of development funds, he again shifted from MAM College within 9 months and posted in nearby GDC R.S.Pura.”
Expressing astonishment at sequence of postings to keep Prof. Uppal at ease and comfort, sources said “Despite being junior as compared to several I/C Principals why the authorities have develop special predications for him” Is Prof. Sunil Uppal indispensible to HED” he questioned.
Not only this, even Prof. Nalini promptly refused to serve as I/C Principal when she was considered for posting in remote area. Instead, she managed her posting within one month from GDC, Kathua to GDC, Sidhara as associate lecturer of English and from where she was transferred to GDC, Nagrota as I/C Principal. Both these colleges are located in very close vicinity of Jammu city.
Alleging that this transfer list is made by some lower echelons crooked officials who are sticking to the HED since decades and running the business of transfer industry, another agitated Principal have urged the Secretary, Sushma Chouhan to intervene in the matter and put on hold the list which was prepared sans application of mind by keeping the higher ups in dark.