Early Times Report
Jammu, July 26: A high level meeting was held between the office bearers of SKUAST-Jammu Teaching Association and SKUAST-Kashmir Teaching Association under the chairmanship of President SKUAST-TAJ, Dr. Vikas Sharma, in which both the associations discussed the issue regarding the age of superannuation of faculty members of Universities.
Speaking on the occasion president Dr. Vikas Sharma said that Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who is Pro Chancellor of both the Universities had stated very clearly his government's intention to bring the retirement age of varsity faculty/scientists and medical faculty at par with the retirement age of the faculty of Central Universities which is 65 years, with the provision of extension up to the age of 70, as per norms of the University Grants Commission (UGC), by considering the matter in the forth coming cabinet, but subsequently when the state cabinet met on June 19, 2014, it fixed the age of superannuation of varsity and medical faculty at 62 years instead of earlier stated position.
This decision of cabinet is being resented by the university and medical faculty of the state, added Dr Vikas. Dr. Vikas Sharma further pointed out that a month has passed, but none of the Institutions (SKUAST-J, SKUAST -K, JU, KU, GMC-Jammu, GMC-Kashmir) have received any written communication regarding the decision and the authorities of all the four Universities and two medical colleges are in dilemma as the JK Finance Deptt., GAD, HE Deptt., Civil Secretariat and Rajbhavan are all silent on the subject. Dr. S.A. Dar, President SKUAST Scientists Teachers Association (SSTA), Kashmir, said that Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah is duty bound to see that the cabinet decision is implemented in letter and spirit without any further delay and faculties are benefitted as per the principle of natural justice since June 2014. Dr. Saleem Iqbal, President SKUAST Veterinary scientists association (SVSA), Kashmiri, said that, however, if the government is contemplating to modify the cabinet decision regarding the enhancement of the age of superannuation of faculty members of Universities to 65 years, it should at least send a communication to the concerned Institutions so that the incumbents who are about to retire may be given extension, meanwhile the procedural formalities regarding the proper order may be completed. The meeting was attended by Dr. P.K. Rai, Dr. Devinder Sharma, Dr. Rajeev Bharat, Dr. Poonam Parihaar, Dr. Neelofar, Dr. Abdul Salam Bhat and Dr. Naseem Geelani. |
