By JKGN Desk
JAMMU: Terming the extension in service of Chairperson, Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education, Prof Veena Pandita as an open exhibition of favouritism, prominent social activist Sukesh Khajuria has urged the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to cancel the order and probe the this extension order No 213 Dt.10-07-2020.
By the order of Principal Secretary SED, Prof Pandita was accorded extension in service for a period of two years beyond his extended term which was 30-06-2020.
Sukesh alleged that the J&K government had made a mockery of its own advertisement which it had issued to find a suitable candidate for this post by following questionable means to give extension to already retired chairperson for two more years.
Upper age limit for the post of the Chairman as per Advertisement notice Dt.22-05-2020 was fixed as 57year as on 31-03-2020, apart from other qualification criteria.
While the School Education department brought out the advertisement notification/Notice for the post of chairman, Jammu& Kashmir Board of School Education (JKOSE), it extended Prof. Pandita term for another two months till the time a permanent chairperson was appointed.
Her term expired on April 03, 2020, 27 days before her retirement. As per norms an expiry of term, she had to be repatriated to her college/higher education department on April 03, 2020, but her term was extended till April 30, 2020, so that she retires as chairperson of JKBOSE.
An order i.e. S.O.145 Dt.30-04-2020 issued by Dr.Asgar Hassan samoon, Principal Secretary to the Government, School Education Department said, “In Exercise of the power conferred by sub-section (1) of the section 12 of the Jammu &Kashmir Board of School Education Act, 1975 ( Act no. XXVIII of 1975) and in supersession of notification SRO-159 dated 03-04-2018 or any other notification issued on the subject, the Government herby extends the term of Prof.Veena Pandita, chairperson, Jammu and Kashmir Board of school Education for a period of two months only beyond her date of superannuation i.e.30-04-2020.
Sukesh Khajuria pointed out that giving extension to the retired chairperson of JK BOSE, after constituting a Search Committee headed by a Financial Commissioner and inviting applications from suitable candidates’ smacks of ‘hanky-panky’ in the matter.
The Search Committee was constituted on April 8, 2020 which comprised Principal Secretary, School Education; Principal Secretary, Higher Education besides Vice-Chancellors of Central University of Jammu and of Kashmir.
But without completing the process & waiting for the Report, the officer was given extension of two years after her retirement. Search Committee was given 15 days’ time period to suggest penal of candidates for the said post.
He cautioned the new Lt. Governor against indulging in blatantly illegal and anti-people and arbitrary acts.
He further said that many suitable candidates for the post are feeling cheated by the decision.
He said that such act erodes the confidence of the people in the government and its’ commitment to give the people of this UT an honest, corruption free Administration.